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PRINCETON,  N.  J. 


"S 


Presented  by  Mr.  Samuel  Agnew  of  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


AgJinv  Coll.  on  Baptism,  No. 


SCrCL. 


w::<W  :-:^'^-dv 


Soiu  by 
JOHN  R.  JONES, 

Ctrlj  oppojite  Eagle  Tav. 
RICHMOND. 


"^m&.S. 


•-li-*      ■fjLii^'-.  '<,. 


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<  5^^9 


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*>A 


<  t  ^ 


ro 


THE  BAPTIST  GENERAl 
CORRESPOND 


meeting  of 
:nce. 


AND  TO 


THE  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATI 


THIS  BOOK 


T  VIRGINIA, 


:S  AFFl^TIONATEL^  DEDIC  .VTED, 


THE  AUTHORr 


/^ 


•  vtV-*'*-  ^' 


m»* 


'  » 


1- 


♦  ♦ 


9      v-   .  X      .^  n(  4 


V 


t,- 


PEEFACE,  ; 


/ 


UNLESS  the  Compiler  is  wholly  deceived  in  'hi 
tempt  to  write  a  history    of  the  Vircik^t  •.  yAPT7<k 


ifclf,  his  a*- 

did  Jior 

lame.      To 


spring,  either  from  flie  love  ct  money  or  il.elnveo 
say  that  thefe  things  never  entered  his  thoughts,  w.uld  be  say- 
ing what  no  one  would  believe.  His  motive  v/as  aif ardent  wifi^ 
tor  the  prolperity  of  truth  ;  which  he  rt^^.liy  thoupit,  could  he 
^greatly  promoted,  by  a  plain  and  limple  eitiibition  V  Gci's  deai-» 
ings  towards   his  people.     The  rife  and  rapid  rr,.--;;Jcf  i:-  Eap- 


tifts  in  Virginia  wereib  remarkable,  that  there  lae 
do  not  believe  that  feme   hiltorical  relation  of  then 


L'-t  ttw,  ^vhc• 
will  be  prc- 


ductiveot  real  advantage  to  true  religion.  So  muh  were  e^r 
revolutionary  reformers  perfuaded  of  this,  that  t%  made  ar- 
rangements as  early  as  1788,  to  collect  materials  fnd  publiQi  a 
hifiory  ;  as  may  be  leen  by  turning  to  our  hiftory  cifehe  nrccetd- 
ings  of  the  General  Committee.  *'     1 

If  his  book  does  not  recommend  itfelf  bv  its  oliflied  ftyk, 
deep  erudition,  or  rhetorical  flights,  bethinks  liht  it  pofTeiTcs 
qualities  that  are  more  valuable  in  luch  a  work.  fCandour  and 
fimplicity  in  church  hiftory,  appear  to  the  auth  r,  pronenies 
of  primary  importance.  He  has  faithfully  reccrid  the  toibltc. 
and  taiiures,  as  well  as  the  virtues  and  praifts,  oJ  his  own  pcL- 
pie.  I  •• 

The  documents  which  were  before  him,  were  d  various  forte . 
bome  were  printed,  and,  of  courle,  relied  upon  theleradty  of  the 
author.  Some  v/ere  old  manuicripts  gathered  frofn  the  paaera  of 
perfon^long  lince  dead  ;  and  which  might  have  bien  haftily  cci:.- 
poled,  their  authors  noc  expecting  iheir  publiJation,  and  noc 
bem- ahve  to  give  explanations.  Some,  and  indicd,  many  were 
luniilhed  by  living  characters,  who  doubtleis  ahvavs  t'ave  a- 
orrccc  inlormation  as  they  polIelTed.  Bat  from  tf.e  contrudiccorv 
itcments  of  the  lame  facts  by  different  petrcBsl  the.i^emuil  hav' 


Vi  PREFACE, 

been  m?iir/9S(i2.k.cs .  The  compiler  always  Ihove  to  felect  froui 
the  various  ftateraents,  that  which  feemed  moft  likely  to  be  cor- 
rect ;  yet  without  doubt  he  will  be  found  fometirnes  fo  have  been 
mirtaken.  His  errors,  however,  if  there  are  any,  are  chiefly 
if  not  wholly,  refpecting  matters  of  fecondary  importance.  To 
make  a  fatisfactory  felection  was  often  extremely  difficult  indeed; 
vet  the  arrangements  of  materials  received,  was  not  the  moft 
arduous  parr,.  An  unaccountable  backwardnefs  of  many,  ro  fur- 
jiifn,  in  any 'way,  the  information  pdiTfcired,  rendered  the  talk 
ulmoil  imprajcticable.  All  thefe  difficulties  confidered,  with  ma- 
ny that  cannDtbeexprefied,  the  reader  will  do  no  more  than  juftice 
to  lay,  that jhowever  incorrect  the  work  may  be  in  fome  of  its 
parts,  and  ht)wever  deficient  in  others,  it  is  ftill  a  performance 
that  muR  haVe  coft  no  inconfiderable  labour  and  folicitude. 

"Whilft  hd  exprefies  regret,  at  the  backwardnefs  of  fome,  he 
feels  a  morei  than  commenfurate  pleafure,  in  exprefllng  his  gra- 
titude for  th;  laudable  forvvardnefs  of  others.  Thefe  are  fo  nu- 
merous and  b  deftrving,  that  he  is  fearful,  v/hilll  he  cannot  in- 
fert  the  naMr»'i!**i>pMt  th*4enfibility  •£  otheK;iJ»ight  be  wounded, 
if  he  lliould  Inention  thofe  of  the  Rev.  JVilliam  Mason  of  Culpe- 
per,  John  Rlndexter  of  Louih,  A.  Waller  oi  Spotsylvania,  Tfil. 
Ham  B]^7ne  «f  Richmond,  Benjami?i  IVatkins  of  Powhatan,  WiL 
nam  PJchara  of  Mecklenburg,  Josiah  Osburne  and  yobn  Alderson 
ofGree-brie',  Williarii  Howard  of  Montgomery,  John  Jenkins 
of  Pittfyivaria,  "Jeremiah  Moore  of  Fairfax,  and  Mr.  Ihomas  Buck 
of  Frcvierick  From  thefe  a  prompt  and  friendly  aid  was  afforded: 
and,  indeed,  fome  exerted  themfelves  above  what  could  have  been 
expected.  From  the  hiftories  of  the  Kehukee  and  Ketocton 
AfiociaUons.  extracts  have  been  made  as  to  Portfmouth  and  Ke- 
tocton.  Tc  their  authors  he  muft  therefore  exprefs  his  obliga- 
tions. Mr.  l,eland's  Virginia  Chronicle,  his  manufcript  collec- 
tion, &c.  wqi  the  more  valuable,  becaufe  they  furniflied  matter 
which  could  iot  have  been  eafily,  if  at  all,  obtained  elfewhere. 

There  are  ome  parts  of  the  hiftory,  fuch  as  treat  on  churches, 
&:c.  which  wll  not  be  interefling  to  many  readers  j  yet  to  others, 
thefe  places  nay  be  the  mod  defirable. 

The  tables  jrefixed  to  each  AHociation,  are  defigned  to  exhi- 
bit a  compei;dous  view  of  the  churches  of  which  they  are  com- 
pofed. 

In  treating  en  churches  and  affociations,  opportunities  are  of- 
ten taken,  of  delineating  fome  living  characters,  and,  thereby,  to 
hold  up  for  imkation  the  praifeworihy  properties  of  good  men  : 
and,  in  a  few  ir.ilances,  by  exhibiting  the  true  characters  of  bad 
ones,  a  warning  is  offered  to  the  unwary. 

Finally,  v/hatevci' may  be  the  cen lures   of  bigots  and  cynicS) 


PUETA^K^ 


VI  t 


I 


the  author  hope:>  for  the  candid  jind  liberal  fupport  of  the  fiiends 
of  truth  ani4  piety  ;  and  for  thefe,  his  book  is  particularly  de- 
figned. 

Notivithftanding  great  pains  have  been  taken  to  prevent  it, 
Tome  grammatical  and  feme  typographical  errors  have  impercepti-* 
bly  crept  into  this  wor.V,  Thni>,  j^  ir,  ^-'ir^-'-'J  fclclom,  '-f  ^"c'\ 
affect -the  fcnfc. 


•    t.^ 


9t 


J 


I 


v%  ^  t 


BMCOMMENDATORY  LETTER, 

THE  following  letter  from  Rev.  Andrew  Broaddus,  Caroline, 
,nd  Peter  Nelfon,  efq.  Profeflbr  of  Wmgfield  Academy,  Hano- 
ver, is  fo  gratifying  to  the  feelings  of  the  author,  that  he  cannot 
withhold  from  publication,  the  recommendation  of  men  fo  capable 
of  judging  of  the  merits  of  fuch  a  work. 

Dear  Sir,  Auguft  30th,-i8io. 

The  examination  of  your"  Hiftorv  of  the  Rife  and  Progrefs  of 
the  Bantiils.m.Vi{gktia,"  has  incleed  b^njto  us  a  pleafmg  task: 
iict  merely  as  it  ha^aftoi'ded  us  an  opportunity  of  complying 
"with  the  requifition  of  a  friendfliip  we  highly  value;  but,  from 
the  manner  in  which  the  com])ilation  is  executed. 

We  are  f^r  from  intending  the  complimentary  flyle  of  recom- 
mendation, when  we  fay,  that  we  confider  this  a  truly  valuable 
and  well  executed  work.  The  ftyle  is  perfpicuous,  concife,  and 
%vell  adapted  to  hiftory ;  the  arrangement  clear,  and  happily  cal- 
culated to  prevent  confufion ;  a»d  the  matter  it  contains  highly 
important  and  interefting  to  every  friend  of  truth  and  piety. 

We  cannot  conclude  without  congratulating  you,  on  the  com- 
t)letion  of  an  undertaking  fo  laborious  as  this  has  been,  and  the 
publicy  on  the  acflflifrtion  of  a  work,  calculated  in  a  confiderablu 
degree,  to  grati"' the  curious  and  inform  the  inquilitivej  as  well 
as  to  promote  the  caufe  of  true  religion. 

Accept  the  aflurances  of  our  friendfliip  and  efteem. 

Feter  ISelson, 
-is:  Andrew  Broaddus. 


CHAPTER  J. 

Of  the  Origin  of  the  Separate  Baptists. 

Th  e  Baptists  of  Virginia  originated  from  three 
sources.  The  first  were  emigrants  from  England, 
who  about  the  year  171-^,  settled  in  the  south  east 
parts  of  the  state. 

About  1743,  another  party  came  from  Maryland, 
and  formed  a  settlement  in  the  north  west. 

Each  of  these  will  be  treated  of  in  their  proper  places . 
A  third  party,  from  New  England,  having  acted  the  ' 
most  distinguished  part,  first  demands  our  attention. 

l?y  the  preaching  of  Mr.  Whitefield  thro'  New- 
England,  a  great  work  of  God  broke  out  in  that  coun- 
try, distinguished  by  the  name  of  the  Neic- light- stir. 
All  who  joined  in  it  were  called  N^wlights.  Many 
preachers  of  the  established  order.  Became  active  in 

.the  work Their  success  was  so  great,"  that  numbers 

of  the  parish  clergy,  who  were  opposed  to  the  revival, 
were  apprehensive  that  they  should  be  deserted  by  all 
their  hearers.  They  therefore  not  only  refused  them 
the  use  of  their  meeting  houses,  but  actually  procured 
the  passage  of  a  law  to  confine  all  preachers  to  their 
own  parishes.... This  opposition  did  not  effect  thean- 
tended  object.... The  hearts  of  tfhe  people.being  touch- 
ed by  a  heavenly  flame,  could  no  longer  relish  the  dry 
parish  service,  conducted,  for  the  most  part,  as  they 
thought,  by  a  set  of  graceless  mercenaries. 

The  New-light-stir  being  extensive,  a  great  number 
were  convertedto  the  Lord.... These,  conceiving  that 
the  parish  congregations,  a  few  excepted,  were  far 
from  the  purity  of  the  gospel,  determined  to  form  a 
society  to  themselves.  Accordingly  they  embodied 
many  churches.... Into  these  none  were  admitted,  who 
didnotprofess  vital  religion.  Having  thus  separated 
themselves  from  the  established  churches,  they  v/ere 
denominated  Separates.     Their  church  government. 


^  GENERAL    ilfSTORV. 

was  entirely  upon  the  plan  of  the  Independents,  the 
power  being  in  the  hands  of  the  church.  They  per- 
mitted unlearned  men  to  preach,  provided  they  mani- 
fested such  gifts  as  indicated  future  usefulness.  They 
were  Pedo-baptists  in  principle,  but  did  not  reject  any 
of  their  members,  who  chose  to  submit  to  believer's 
baptism. 

The  Separates  first  took  their  rise,  or  rather  their 
name,  about  the  year  1 744.  They  increased  very  fast 
for  several  years.  About  a  year  after  they  were  or- 
ganized into  a  distinct  society,  they  were  joined  by 
Shubal  Stearns,  who  becoming  a  preacher,  laboured 
among  them  until  1-751,  when  forming  acquaintance 
with  some  of  the  Baptists,  he  v/as  convinced  of  the 
duty  of  believer's  baptism.  Being  a  good  man,  to 
know  his  duty,  was  sufficient  to  induce  him  to  per- 
form it.  TMesame  year  in  which  he  was  baptised  he 
was  ordained,  and  took  the  pastoral  care  of  a  church. 
IVl  r.  Stearns  and'most  of  the  Separates,  had  strong  faith 
in  the  immediate  teachings  of  the  spirit.  'J'hey  be- 
lieved that  to  those  v/ho' sought  him  earnestly,  God 
often  gave  evident  tokens  of  his  will.  That  such  in- 
dications of  tile  divine  pleasure,  partaking  of  the  na- 
ture of  inspiration,  wei'e'*^bove,  tho'  not  contrary  to 
reason,  and  ;dj|^^llo wing  these,  still  leaning  in  every 
ste|^,  upon  ibwsame  wisdom  and  power  by  v/hich  they 
were  first  actuated,  they  would  inevitably  be  led,  to  the 
accomplishiTient  of  the  two  great  objects  of  a  christi- 
an's life,  tHe  glory  of  God  and  the  salvation  of  men. 
Mr.  Stearns,  listening  to  some  of  these  instructions  of 
Heaven,  conceivedhimself  called  upon  by  the  Almigh- 
ty, to  move  far  to  the  westward,  to  execute  a  great  and 
extensive  Avork.  Incited  by  his  impressions,  in  the  year 
1 7.34,  he  and  a  few  of  his  m.em.bers  took  their  leave  of 
N.  England.  They  halted  first  at  Opeckon,  in  Berke- 
ley county,  Virginia,  where  he  found  a  Baptist  church 
under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  John  Garrard,*  who  met 
him  kindly.     Here  also  he  met  his  brother  in  law,  the 

*  See  our  biography  of  D.  Marsh:;!!* 


GENERAL    HISTORY.  Q 

Rev.  Daniel  Marshall,  just  returned  from  hismis« 
sion  amQng  the  Indians,  and  who  after  his  arrival  at  this 
place  had  become  a  Baptist.j^  I'hey  joined  companies 
and  settled  for  a  while  on  Cacapon  in  I J  amphsire  coun- 
ty, about  30  miles  from  Winchester.  II  ere,  not  meet- 
ing with  his  expected  success,  he  felt  restless,  oome 
of  his  friends  had  moved  to  N  orth  (  arolina,  he  received 
letters  from  these,  informing  him,  that  preaching  was 
greatly  desired  by  the  people  of  that  country  :  '1  hat  m 
some  instances  they  had  rode  40  miles  to  hear  one  ser- 
mon. He  and  his  party  once  more  got  under  way,  and 
travelling  about  200  miles  came  to  Sandy  Creek,  in 
Guilford  county,  N.  Carolina.  Here  he  took  up  his 
permanent  residence.  Soon  after  his  arrival,  viz.  Nov. 
22,  17 oOt  he  and  his  companions,  to  the  number  of  1 6", 
were  constituted  into  a  church  called  Saudi/  Crtek,  and 
to  which  Mr.  Stearns  was  appointed  pastor.  In  this 
little  church  in  the  wilderness,  there  were,  besides  the 
pastor,  two  other  preachers,  viz.  Joseph  iJreed  and 
JJaniel  Marshall,  neither  of  whom  was  ordained. 

'J'hus  organized,  they  began  their  work,  kindling  a 
fire  which  soon  began  to  burn  brightly  indeed,  spread- 
ing in  a  few  years  over  Virginia,  IS  orth  and  South 
Carolina  and  G  eorgia . 

The  subsequent  events,  seem  completely  to  have  ve- 
rified Mr.  Steaans's  impressions,  concerning  a  great 
work  of  God  in  the  West. 


CHAPTER  H. 

From  their  final  settlement  in  Norih  Carolina  until  the 
commencement  of  legal  2)ersecuiion. 

The  natives  round  about  this  little  colony  of  Bap- 
tists, altho'  brought  up  in  the  christian  religion,  were 
grossly  ignorant  of  its  essential  principles.  Having  the 
form  of  godliness,  they  knew  nothing  of  its  power. 
.  The  doctrine  of  Mr.  Stearns  and  his  party  was  con- 
sequently quite  strange.      1  o  be  born  again,  appeared 

•f"  Sie  our  history  of  Kelocton  assorijn ion. 


4  GENERAL   HISTORY. 

to  them  as  absurd  as  it  did  to  the  Jewish  doctor,  when 
he  asked,  if  he  must  enter  the  second  time  into  his 
mother's  womb  and  be  born  agam.  Having  always 
supposed  that  religion  consisted  in  nothing  more  than 
the  practise  of  its  outward  duties,  they  could  not 
comprehend  how  it  should  be  necessary  to  feel  con- 
viction and  conversion:  But  to  be  able  to  ascertain 
the  time  and  place  of  one's  conversion  was,  in  their 
estimation,  wonderful  indeed — Ihese  points  were  all 
strenuously  contended  for  by  the  new  preachers.  But 
their  manner  of  preaching  was,,  if  possible,  much  more 
novel  than  their  doctrines.  The  Separates  in  N .  En- 
gland had  acquired  a  very  warm  and  pathetic  address, 
accompanied  by  strong  gestures  and  a  singular  tone  of 
voice.  1  ^eing  often  deeply  affected  themselves  while 
preaching,  correspondent  affections  were  felt  by  their 
pious  hearers,  w^liich  were  frequently  expressed  by 
tears,  trembling,  screams,  shouts  and  acclamations. 
All  these  they  brought  with  them  into  their  new  habi- 
tation. The  people  were  greatly  astonished  having 
never  seen  things  in  this  wise  before.  Many  mocked, 
but  the  power  of  God  attending  them,  many  also  trem- 
bled. In  process  of  time  some  of  the  natives  became 
converts,  and  bowed  obedience  to.  the  Redeemer's 
sceptre.  These,  uniting  their  labours  with  the  chosen 
band,  a  powerful  and  extensive  work  broke  out. — 
From  16,  Sandy  Creek  Church  soon  swelled  to  606 
members ;  so  mightily  grew. the  work  of  God  1 

Daniel  Marshall,  tho'  not  possessed  of  great  talents, 
was  indefatigable  in  his  endeavours.  Pie  sallied  out 
into  the  adjacent  neighbourhoods,  and  planted  the  1  Re- 
deemer's standard  in  many  of  the  strongholds  of  Satan. 
At  Abbot's  creek,  about  30  miles  from  Sandy  creek, 
the  gospel  prospered  so  largely,  that  they  petitioned 
the  mother  church  for  a  constitution,  and  for  the  or- 
dination of  Mr.  Marshall  as  their  pastor.  The  church 
was  constituted,,  Mr.  Marshall  accepted  the  call, 
and  went  to  live  among  them.  His  ordination,  how- 
ever, was  a  matter  of  some  difficulty.     It  required  a 


GE>rERAL   HISTOKY.  5 

fit 

plurality  of  elders  to  constitute  a  presbytery ;  Mr. 
Stearns  was  the  only  ordained  minister  among  them. 
In  this  dilemma,  they  were  informed,  that  there  were 
some  regular  Baptist  preachers  living  on  Pedee.  To 
one  of  these  Mr.  Stearns  applied,  and  requested  him 
to  assist  him  in  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Marshall. — 
This  request  he  sternly  refused,  declaring  that  he  held 
no  fellowship  with  Stearns's  party:  that  he  believed 
them  to  be  a  disorderly  set :  suffering  women  to  pray 
in  public,  and  permitting  every  ignorant  man  to  preach 
that  chose  :  that  they  encouraged  noise  and  contusion 
in  their  meetings.  Application  was  then  made  to 
Mr.  Henry  Ledbetter,  who  lived  somewhere  in  the 
southern  states,  and  who  was  a  brother-in-law  of  Mr. 
Marshall.  .  He  and  Mr.  Stearns  ordained  Mr.  Mar- 
shall to  the  care  of  this  nev/  church.  The  work  of 
grace  continued  to  spread,  and  several  preachers  were 
raised  in  North  Carolina.  Among  others,  was  James 
Read,  who  was  afterwards  very  successful  in  Virginia. 
When  he  first  began  to^  preach  he  was  entirely  illite- 
rate, not  knowing  how  to  read  or  write .  H  is  wife  be- 
came his  instructor,  and  he  soon  acquired  learning  suf- 
ficient to  enable  him  to  read  the  scriptures. 
-.  Into  the  parts  of  Virginia,  adjacent  to  the  residence 
of  this  religious  colony,  the  gospel  had  been  quickly 
carried  by;  Mr.  Marshall..,  He  had  baptised  several 
in  some  of  his  first  visits.  Amon?;  them  was  Dutton 
Lane,  who  shortly  after  his  baptism,  began  to  preach 
— a  revival  succeeded,  and  Mr.  Marshall  at  one  time 
baptised  42  persons.  In  August  1760.  a  church  was 
constituted  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Dutton 
Lane.  This  was  the  first  Separate.  Hnptist  ^/.hurch 
in  Virginia,  and^  in  some  sense,  the  mother  of  all  the 
rest.  The  church  prospered  under  the  ministry  of 
Mr.  Lane,  aided  by  the  occasiolial  visits  of  Mr.  Mar- 
shall and  Mr.  Stearns.  They  endured  much  persecu- 
tion, but  God  prospered  them,:  and  delivered  them 
out  of  the  hands  of  all  their  enemies.  - 
Soon  after  Mr.  Lane's  conversion,  the  power  of  God. 

I 


6  General  history. 

was  effectual  in  the  conversion  of  Samuel  Harriss,  a 
man  of  great  distinction  in  those  parts.  J>esicies  be- 
ing the  burgess  of  the  county,  and  colonel  of  the  mi- 
litia, he  held  several  other  offices.  Upon  being  hon- 
oured of  God,  he  laid  aside  all  worldly  honours,  and 
became  a  labourer  in  the  I  ord's  vineyard.  In  /.i9» 
he  was  ordained  a  ruling  elder.  l  rom  the  time  of 
the  commencement  of  his  ministry  for  about  7  years, 
his  labours  were  devoted  chiefly  to  his  own  and  the  ad*- 
jacent  counties.  Being  often  w^th  Mr.  Marshall  in 
his  ministerial  journies,  he  caught  the  zeal,  diligence, 
and  indeed  the  manners  of  Marshall.  H  is  labours  were 
crowned  with  the  blessing  of  heaven  wherever  he 
went.  Stearns,  tho'  not  as  laborious  as  Marshall,  was 
not  idle.  He  seems  to  have  possessed  the  talent  of 
arranging  the  materials  when  collected.  He  under- 
stood well  discipline  and  church  governments. 

Having  now  constituted  several  churches,  and 
there  being  some  others  that  exercised  the  rights  of 
churches,  tho'  not  formally  organized,  Mr.  Stearns 
conceived  that  an  association  composed  of  delegates 
from  all  these,  would  have  a  tendency  to  impart  sta- 
bility, regularity,  and  uniformity  to  the  whole,  i'or 
this  prudent  purpose,  he  visited  each  church  and  con- 
gregation, and  explaining  the  contemplated  plan,  in- 
duced them  all  to  send  delegates  to  his  meeting  house 
the  ensuing  January,  which  was  in  the  year  I76O. 
"J  heir  regulations  and  proceedings  may  be  seen  in  our* 
account  of  the  General  Association.  Here  it  may  suf- 
fice to  observe,  that  thro'  these  meetings,  the  gospel 
was  carried  into  many  new  places,  where  the  fame 
of  the  Baptists  had  previously  spread;  for  great  crowds 
attending  from  distant  parts,  mostly  through  curiosity, 
many  became  enamoured  with  these  extraordinary 
people,  and  petitioned  the  association  to  send  preach- 
ers into  their  neighbourhoods.  These  petitions  were 
readily  granted,  and  the  preachers  as  readily  complied 
with  the  appointments.  Thus  the  associations  became 
the  m.edium  of  propagating  the  gospel  in  new  and  dark 


aENERAl.    HISTORY.  i 

places.  They  were  instrumental  in  another  way,  in 
advancing  truth.  When  assembled,  their  chief  em- 
ployment was  preaching,  exhortation,  singing,  and 
conversmg  about  their  various  exertions  in  the  Ke- 
deemer's  service,  and  the  attendant  puccess.  These 
things  so  enflamed  the  hearts  of  the  ministers,  that 
they  would  leave  the  association,  with  a  zeal  and  cou- 
rage, which  no  obstacles  could  impede. 

Mr.  Marshall's  impressions  led  him  to  travel  far- 
ther south.  Of  his  success  in  those  quarters,  see 
some  account  in  his  biography. 

Mr.  I  iarriss  was  destined  of  Cod  to  labour  more  ex- 
tensively in  Virginia,  than  in  any  other  state.  Having 
done  much  good  in  the  ciroumjacent  parts,  the  time 
had  now  arrived  for  him  to  lengthen  his  cords.  In. 
January,  1?65,  Allen  Wylcy,*  an  inhabitant  of  Cul- 
peper,  and  who  had  been  baptised  by  David  Thomas, 
hearing  of  the  Separate  Baptht  preacherSy  travelled 
from  C'ulpeper  to  Pittsylvania,  in  order  to  get  one 
or  more  of  them  to  come  and  preach  in  Cuipeper, 
lie  travelled  on,  scarcely  knowing  whither  he  v^^ent. 
An  unseen  hand  directed  his  course.  He  providential- 
ly fell  in  with  one  of  Mr.  Harriss's  meeting.  When 
he  came  into  the  meeting  house,  Mr.  H.  fixed  his 
eyes  upon  him,  being  impressed  previously  that  he 
had  some  extraordinary  message.  He  asked  hioi 
whence  he  came,  &c.  Mr.  W.  told  him  his  errand. 
Upon  which,  after  some  deliberation,  believing  hini^l 
to  be  sent  of  God,  Mr.  liarriss  agreed  to  go.  Taking 
three  days  to  prepare,  he  started  with  VVyley,  having 
no  meetings  on  the  way,  yet  exhorting  and  praying 
at  every  house  where  he  went. 

/>rriving  in  Cuipeper,  his  first  meeting  was  at 
Wyley's  own  house.  He  preached  the  first  day  Avith- 
out  interruption,  and  appointed  for  the  next.  He  the 
next  day  be;:  an  to  preach,  but  the  opposers  imme- 
diately raised  violent  opposition,  appearing  with  v/hips, 

*  Mr.  Wyley  is  now  living,  ami  furnished  Irom  under  his  own  hand  the 
■atove  account.  He  has  maintained  ever  since  an  upright  chur.Tcttr,  do  a  zea- 
lous and  piou-s  professor. 


8  GENERAL    His  TOR y. 

Sticks,  clubs,  &c.  so  as  to  hinder  his  labours";  in  con- 
sequence of  which  he  went  that  night  over  to  Orange 
county,  and  preached  with  much  effect.      I  ^e  conti- 
nued many  days  preaching  from  place  to  place,  attend- 
ed by  great  crowds,  and  followed  throughout  his  rneet^ 
ings  by  several  persons  who  had  been  either  lately 
converted,  or  seriously  awakened,  under  the  ministry 
of  the  Regular  Baptists,  and  also  by  many  who  had 
been  alarmed  by  his  own  labours.     When  Mr.  Harriss 
left  them  he  exhorted  them  to  be  stedfast,  and  advised 
some  in  whom  he  discovered  talents,  to  commence 
the  exercise  of  their  gifts,  and  to  hold  meetings  among 
themselves.     In  this  ministerial  journey,  Mr.  Harriss 
sowed  many  good  seed,,  yielding  afterwards  great 
.increase.       The    young    converts    took    his  advice, 
and  began  to  hold  meetings  every  Sabbath,  and  almost 
every  night  in  the  week,  taking  a  tobacco  house  for 
their  meetinghouse.     After  proceeding  in  this  way 
for  some  time,  they  applied  to-  Mr.    David  Thomas, 
who  lived  somewhere  north  of  the  Rappahannock,  to 
come  and  preach  for  them,  and  teach  them  the  ways 
of  God  more  perfectly  ;  he  came,  but  in  his  preach- 
ing expressed  some. disapprobation  of  the  preaching 
of  such  weak  and  illiterate  persons.*     This  was  like 
throwing  cold  water  upon  their  tiaming  zeal ;    they 
took  umbrage,  and    resolved  to  send  once  more  for 
Mr.  Harriss.     Sometime  in  the  year  1 766,  and  a  short 
time  after  Mr.  Thomas's  preaching,  three  of  the  par- 
ty, viz:  ji^iijah  Craig  and  two  others,  travelled  to  Mr. 
Harriss's  house,  in  order  to  procure  his  services  in 
Orange  and  the  adjacent  parts,  to  preach  and  baptize 
the  new  converts.     They  found  to  their  surprise  that 
he  had  not  been  ordained  to  the  administration  of  the 
ordinances.     To  remedy  this  inconvenience,  he  car- 
ried them  about  6O  miles  into  North  Carolina  to  get 
James  Read,  who  was  ordained. 

'inhere  is  something  singular  in  the  exercises  of  Mr. 
Read  about  this  time.     He  was  impressed  with  an 

*  Mr.  Tliomas  was  a  man  of  t>;tensive  learning. 


GENERAL    HISTORY. 


Opinion  that  he  had  frequent  teachings  from  God ; 
and  indeed  from  the  account  given  by  himfelf,  we  muft 
either  doubt  his  veracity,  or  admit  that  his  impressions 
were  fupernatural.*  He  declares  that  refpecting  his 
preaching  in  Virginia,  for  many  weeks,  he  had  no  reft 
in  his  fpirit.  Alleep  or  awake  he  felt  his  foul  earneft- 
ly  impreifed  with  ftrong  defires  to  come  to  Virginia 
to  preach  the  gofpel.  In  his  dreams  he  thought  that 
God  would  often  fhew  him  large  congregations  of  Vir- 
ginians alTembled  to  hear  preaching.  He  was  fome- 
times  heard  by  his  family  to  cry  out  in  his  sleep,  0  Vir- 
ginia, Virginia,  Virginia,  Mr.  Graves,  a  member 
of  his  church,  a  good  man,  difcovering  his  anxiety,  and 
believing  his  impressions  to  be  from  God,  offered  to  ac- 
cowipany  him.  J  uft  as  they  were  fixing  to  come  oft, 
Mr.  Harrifs  and  the  three  a^effengers  mentioned  above, 
caime  for  him  to  go  with.them. .  The  circumftances 
fo  much  refemble  Peters'  call  from  Joppa  to  Csefarea, 
that  we  can  hardly  for  a  moment  hefitate,  in  placing 
implicit  confidence,  in  its  being  a  contrivance  of  di- 
vine wifdom. 

Mr.  Read  agreed  to  go,  without  much  hefltation.... 
One  of  the  melTengers  from  Spottfylvania  went  on  to 
appoint  meetings  on  the  way.  The  two  preachers, 
after  filling  up  fome  appointments  in  their  own 
parts,  purfued  their  contemplated  journey,  accompa- 
nied by  Mr.  Graves  and  the  other  two.  In  about  a 
fortnight  they  arrived  in  Orange,  within  the  bounds  of 
Blue  Run  church,  as  it  now  ftands.  When  they  came 
in  fight,  and  faw  a  very  large  congregation,  they  were 
greatly  affecfted.  After  a  few  minutes  of  prayer  and 
refle(5i:ion,  they  recovered  their  courage,  and  entered 
upon  their  great  work.  They  preached  with  much 
etfect  on  that  day.  The  next  day  they  preached  at 
Elijah  Craig's,  where  a  vaft  croud  attended.  D.  Tho- 
mas and  John  Garrard,  both  preachers  of  the  Regular 
Order,  were  at  this  meeting.  The  minifters  on  both 
fides  feemed  deiirous  to  unite,  but  the  people  were 

*  In  a  manuscript  furnifhed  from  his  own  hand. 

B 


iO  GENERAL    HISTORY. 

againll:  it ;  the  larger  part  fiding  with  the  Separates, 
As  they  could  not  unite,  both  parties  held  meetings  the 
next  day,  being  Sabbath,  but  a  fmall  diilance  from  each 
other.  Baptilm  was  adminiflered  by  both.  Thefe 
things  widened  the  breach.  Mellrs.  Read  and  Har- 
rifs,  however,  continued  their  miniftrations.  Mr. 
Eead  baptized  19  the  iirft  day,  and  more  on  the  days 
following.  'I'hey  went  thro'  Spottfylvania  into  the  up- 
per parts  of  Caroline,  Hanover  and  Goochland,  fow- 
ing  the  feeds  of  grace  and  peace  in  many  places.  So 
much  were  they  infpirited  by  thefe  meetings,  that  they 
made  appointments  to  come  again  the  next  year.  Jn 
their  fecond  vilit,  they  v/ere  accompanied  by  the  Rev. 
Dutton  Lane,  v/ho,  alTifled  them  in  conflituting  and 
organizing,  the  firil:  Sejjanite  Baptist  Chnrdi.  ^be- 
tween Rappahannock  and^^ames  l\iver.  This  took 
jplace  on  the  20th  of  November.  176]^.  The  church 
was  called  U  ppcr  iSpotlsylvanla ,  and  cOniiiled  of  twen- 
ty-live members,  including  all  the  Separate  Baptists 
North  of  James  River.  This  was  a  mother  to  many 
other  churches. 

Read  and  Harrifs  continued  to  vifit  thefe  parts  for 
about  three  years,  v/ith  w^onderful  eited*.  In  one  of 
their  vifits,  they  baptized  75  ^t  one  time,  and  in  the 
courfe  of  one  of  their  journies,  which  generally  lafl- 
ed  feveral  w^eeks,  they  baptized  upwards  of  200.  It 
\vas  not  uncommon,  at  their  great  meetings,  for  many 
hundreds  of  men  to  camp  on  the  ground,  in  order  to  be 
prefent  the  next  day.  The  night-meetings,  thro'  the 
great  v/ork  of  God,  continued  very  late  ;  the  minifters 
would  fcarcely  have  an  opportunity  to  lleep ;  fome- 
times  the  iloor  v/ould  be  covered  withperfons,  ftruck 
dov/n  under  conviction  for  iin .  It  frequently  happen- 
ed that,  when  they  would  retire  to  reil  at  a  late  hour, 
ihey  v/ould  be  under  the  nscefiity  of  arifmg  again, 
tliro'  the  carneft  cries  of  the  penitent :  there  were  in- 
i-ances  of  perlbns  travelling  more  than  one  hundred 
miles  to  one  of  thefe  meetings;  to  go  forty  or  fifty 
;:  uncommon. 


GENERAL    HISTORY,  ii 

On  account  of  the  great  increafe  of  members,  thro' 
the  labours  of  MelTrs,  Read  and  Harrifs,  aided  by  a 
number  of  young  preachers,  itwas  found  neceiiary  to 
conftitute  feveral  other  churches.  Accordingly  on 
the^dday  of  Dec.  1769,  Lower  Spottsijlvania  C/uwchjt  , 
was  conftituted,  with  154  members,  whochofe  John 
Waller  for  paftor :  he  was  confecrated  to  this  office 
June  2d,  \  770.  Lewis  Craig  v/as  confecrated  paflor 
to  the  mother  church,  Nov.  1770.  Blue  Rim  Church 
was  conftituted  Dec.  4th,  17®,  and  choofmg  Elijah 
Craig  for  their   paflor,    he    was    confecrated    i\iay 

1771.* 

Read  and  Flarrifs,  particularly  the  latter,  were  men 
of  great  zeal  and  indefatigable  diligence  and  perfever- 
ance,  in  their  mailer's  caule  :  their  fpirit  was  caught 
by  many  of  the  young  prophets,  in  Orange  and 
Spottfylvania.  Lewis  and  Elijah  Craig,  John  Waller, 
James  Childs,  John  Burrus,  &c.  animated  by  an  ardent 
delire  for  the  advancement  of  their  mailer's  kingdom, 

CD  ' 

fallied  forth  in  every  diredion,  fpreading  the  tidings  of 
peace  and  falvation,  wherever  they  went.  Moft  of 
them  illiterate,  yet  illumined  by  the  wifdom  from 
above,  they  would  defend  and  maintain  the  caufe  of 
truth,  againil  the  arguments  of  the  moft  profound. 
Without  vifible  fword  or  buckler,  they  moved  on  flea- 
dy  to  their  purpofe,  undifmayed  by  the  terrific  holls 
of  Satan,  backed  by  the  flrong  arm  of  civil  authority. 
Magiilrates  and  mobs,  priefts  and  iherifFs,-  courts  and 
prifons,  all  vainly  combined  to  divert  them  from  their 
objed: :  He  that  v/as  for  them,  was  greater  than  all 
that  v/ere  againfl  them  •  they  found,  tliat 

**  Frm?is  z€Ould  palaces  prove, 

*'  (/"  Jems  would  dwell  zvith  them  there/'' 

There  was  an  eilablifhed  religion  :  the  Nebuchad- 
nczzars  of  the  age,    required  all  men  to  how  dov/n  to 

this  golden  image  :    theie  Hebrew  children  refuied, 

*  These  iorsgoing-  accoiintaj^^ere  taken  iVorn  mantuiciipf;,  rccfivc;!  troia  Mr , 
John  Lcland,  |.  WaUer,  E.  Ci:;ig,    James  Read,  tvc 


12  GENERAL   HISTORYr 

and  were  caft  into  the  burning  fiery  furnace  of  perfe- 
cution  :  the  Son  of  God  walked  with  them  there,  to 
the  utter  difmay  of  their  enemies.  The  decree  final- 
ly went  forth,  that  none  fliould  be  any  more  forced, 
|o  worfhip  the  golden  image.  The  eflablifhment 
was  overturned. 

Their  labours  were  not  limited  to  their  own  coun- 
ties. In  Goochland,  MefTrs.  Harrifs  and  Read,  had 
baptized  feveral  j  among  whom  was  Reuben  Ford, 
who  had  profelTed  vital  faith  about  7  years  before,  un- 
der the  minifbry  of  the  renowned  Whiteiield  and  Da- 
vis. Mr.  Ford  was  baptized  in  the  year  1769,  by 
James  Read. 

These  plants  were  watered  by  the  labours  of  the  Spott- 
fylvania  preachers,  particularly  J.  Waller,  who,  early 
in  his  vifits  to  Goochland,  baptized  Wm.  Webber  and 
Jofeph  Anthony,  who,,  with  Reuben  Ford,  had  been 
exhorting,  6cc.  previous  to  their  being  baptized.  By 
the  united  labours  of  thefe  feveral  fervants  of  God, 
the  work  of  godlinefs  progrefled.  in  Goochland  and 
round  about.  .  The  conqucOs  of  Jefus,  differ  from 
thofe  of  the  kings  of  the  earth  :  they  aim  to  deltroy 
their  enemies  :  he  turns  enemies  to  friends :  he  arrefls 
an  infuriated  Saul  from  the  ranks  of  Satan,  and  makes 
him  an  infpired  advocate  for  that  caufe  which  he  once 
deflroyed — -So  it  fared  with  all  thefe  young  preachers. 
They  were  no  fooner  captivated  by  the  king  of  Zion, 
than  they  immediately  began  to  fight  under  his  ban- 
ner j  their  fuccefs  was  commenfurate  with  their  dili- 
gence ;  many  believed  and  were  baptized  in  Gooch- 
land ;  infomuch,  that  they  thought  themfelves  ripe 
for  an  independent  government,  and  were  according- 
ly conflituted  as  a  church,  towards  the  lafl  of  the  year 
lyyi.' — It  was  called  Goochland  Church,  and  contain- 
ed about  feventy-five  members,  •  This  was  the  mother 
church  of  thofe  parts,  for,  from  it  have  been  fince  confli- 
tuted feveral  others.  Dover  and  Licking-hole,  were 
both,  fliortly  after,  taken  from  Goochland  church. — 
Wm.  Webber  became  paflor  of  Dover,  which  office 


QENERAL    HISTORY.  IS 

he  held  until  his  death  in  1808.  Reuben  Ford  ad- 
miniftered  the  word  and  ordinances,  to  Goochland  and 
Licking-hole. 

The  fpread  of  the  gofpel  is  fomewhat  like  the  fpread 
of  fire.  It  does  not  in  all  cafes  advance  regularly  ;  ^ 
but  a  fpark  being  ftruck  out,  flies  off  and  begins  a  new 
flame  at  a  diftance.  In  this  manner  did  the  gofpel 
take  its  rife  in  the  counties  of  Middlefex,  EfTex  and 
the  adjacent  counties.-  i  One  Wm.  Mullin,  afterwards 
an  ufeful  preacher,  had  moved  from  Middlefex  and 
fettled  in  the  county  of  Amelia.  When  the  gofpel 
reached  Amelia,  Mr.  Mullin  embraced  the  truth. — 
Coming  afterwards,  in  1769,  on  a  vifit  to  his  relati- 
ons in  Middlefex  and  Efl^ex,  by  arguments,  drawn 
from  the  fcripture,  he  convinced  his  brother  John, 
and  his  brother-in-law  James  Greenwood,  with  fev- 
erai  others,  of  the  neceffity  of  being  born  again.  Of 
thefe,  fome  found  peace  in  believing,  before  they  ever 
heard  the  gofpel  publicly  preached.  November  1770, 
John  Waller  and  John  Bufrus,came  down  and  preach- 
ed in  Viiddlefex.  They  continued  preaching  at,  and 
near  the  fame  place,  for  three  days  |  great  crowds  came 
out:  Waller  baptized  five."  Perfecution  began  to  rage. 
Some  faid  they  were  deceivers, ;  others  that  they  were 
good  men  On  the  fecond  day,  a  magiftrate  attempt- 
ed to  pull  Waller  off  the  ftage,  but  the  clergyman 
of  the  parifh  prevented  it.  The  next  day,  a  man 
threw  a  flone  at  Waller  while  he  was  preaching ;  the 
ftone  miffed  Waller  and  llruck  a  friend  of  the  man 
that  threw  it.  ■  James  Greenwood  and  others  now  be- 
gan to  hold  public  meetings,  by  day  and  by  night.... 
Much  good  was  done  by  them  -,  many  believed,  and 
only  waited  an  opportunity  to  be  baptized,  there  being 
no  ordained  preacher  nearer  than  Spottfylvania. 

In  the  meantime,  the  labourers  had  not  been  idle  in 
that  part  of  the  vineyard  South  of  James  River.  The 
two  Murphies,  viz:  Wm.  and  Jofeph,  aided  by  the  in- 
defatigable 8  Harrifs,  had  carried  the  gofpel  into  fome 
of  the  counties  above  Pittfvlvania,  where  Rob't.  Stock- 


14  GENERAL   HISTORY,^ 

ton  and  fbme  other  preachers,  were  raifed.  S.  Harrifs, 
J-  Read,  eremiah  Walker,  &c.  had  proclaimed  the 
tidings  of  peace  in  Halifax,  Charlotte,  Lunenburg, 
Mecklenburg,  Amelia,  and  almofl  all  the  counties 
above  Richmond,  on  the  South  side  of  the  river  In 
thefe  gatherings,  there  were  many  ufeful  and  feveral 
eminent  minilliers  of  the  gofpel  brought  in,  iv^': 
John  Williams,  John  King,  James  ^helburne,  Henry 
Lefter,  with  fome  others.  'I  he  gofpel  was  firft  car- 
ried here,  nearly  as  it  was  into  C'ulpeper  and  Spottfyl- 
vania,  viz :  In  confequence  of  a  fpecial  meilhge  to  the 
preachers  from  fome  of  the  inhabitants,*  They  con- 
ftituted  the  iirft  church  in  1769,  with  about  40  mem- 
bers, which  was  called  Nottoway.  Mr.  Walker  foon 
moved,  and  took  the  pafloral  charge  of  them ;  he  had 
been  preaching  fometime  before  this,  in  N.Carolina, 
his  native  ftate  ;  he  nov/  moved  to  Virginia,  and  for 
feveral  years  a(5led  a  confpicuous  part  in  the  concerns 
of  the  Virginia  Baptifts.-^^ 


CHAPTER  III. 

From  the  commencement  of  Legal  Persecution,  until  the 
AbQliiion  of  the  Established  Church. 

Vin  T.  N"  the  Eaptifts  iiril  appeared  in  N.  Carolina  and 
Virginia,  they  were  viewed,  by  men  in  power,  as  be- 
neath their  notice  ;  none,  faid  they,  but  the  weak  and 
wicked  join  them  ;  let  them  alone,  they  will  foon  fall 
out  amjcng  themfelves,  and  come  to  nothing.  In  fome 
places  this  maxim  was  adhered  to,  and  persecution,  in 
a  legal  iliape,  was  never  fcen.  But  in  many  others, 
alarmed  by  the  rapid  incrcafe  of  the  Baptifts,  the  men 
in  power,  ilrainedevery  penal  lavv  in  the  Virginia  code, 
to  obtain  v/ays  and  means,  toputdov/n  thefe  difturb- 
ers  of  the  peace,  as  they  were. now  called. 

Itfeemsby.no.meanscei-tain,  that  any  law  in  force 
i a  Virginia,  autfiqrifedtne  imprifonment  of  any  per- 

*  Sec  further  account  In  the  History  of  the  Middle  District  Association, 
Nottowny  Church.     *  '      f  See  his  BiuiTauhv. 


'  GENERAL    IIISTJIIV.  13 

fon  for  preaching.  The  law  for  the  prefervation  oi 
peace,  however,  was  fo  interpreted  as  to  anfwer  this 
purpofe ;  and,  accordingly,  whenever  the  preachers 
were  apprehended,  it  was  done  by  a  peace  warrant. 
The  firilinflance  of  actual  imprifonment,  we  be-" 
lieve,  that  ever  took  place  in  Virginia,  was  in  the  coun- 
ty of  Spottfylvania.  On  the  4.th  of  Tune,  1768, 
John  Waller,  Lewis  Craig,  James  Childs,  &c.  were 
feized  by  the  (heriff,  and  haled  before  three  magis- 
trates, who  flood  in  the  meeting  houfe  yard,  and  who 
bound  them  in  the  penalty  of  one  thoufand  pounds, 
to  appear  at  court  two  days  after.  At  court  they 
were  arraigned  as  diflurbers  of  the  peace ;  on  their 
trial,  they  were  vehemently  accufed,  by  a  certain  law- 
yer, who  faid  to  the  court,  *'  May  it  pleafe  your 
worfliips,  these  men  are  great  difturbers  of  the  peace, 
they  cannot  meet  a  man  upon  the  road,  but  they 
muft  ram  a  text  of  fcripture  down  his  throat."  ,  Mr. 
Waller  made  his  own,  and  his  brethren's  defence  fo 
ingenioully,  that  they  were  fomewhat  puzzled  to 
know  how  to  difpofe  ofthem.  They  offered  to  releafe 
them,  if  they  would  promife  to  preach  no  more  in  the 
county,  for  a^  year  and  a  day.  This  tliey  refufed  ; 
and,  therefore,  were  fent  into  clofe  jail.  As  they 
were  moving  on,  from  the  court-houfe  to  the  prifon, 
thro'  the  ilreets  of  Frederickfburg,  they  fung  the  hymn 

"  Bi'oad  is  the  road  that  leads  to  death,"  Szc. 

This  had  an  awful  appearance.  After  four  weeks 
confinement,  Lewis  Craig  was  releafed  from  prifon, 
and  immediately  went  down  to  VViiliamiburg,  to  o;ei 
a  releafe  for  his  companions.  He  v\Mited  on  the  de- 
puty-governor, the  Hon.  John  Blair,  flated  the  cafe 
before  him,  and  received  the  following  letter,  dired- 
ed  to  the  King's  attorney,  in  Spottfylvania  : 

"  SIR,— I  lately  received  a  letter,  signed  by  a  gocd  miaiber  of  wortliy  jrcri. 
vlemen,  who  are  not  here,  complaining  oi  the  Baptiils  j  the  particulais  oltiv.ir 
inisbehaviour  are  not  told,  any  turthtr  than  their  running  into  pjivale  hor.lls, 
and  making  diffentions.  Mr.  Craig  and  Mr.  Benjamin  Waller  are  now  v,:tii 
jne,  and  deny  the  charge  :  they  tell  me  they  are  willing  to  lake  th.c  oata^, 
as  others  have  :  1  told  them  I  had  conluited  '.he  attornej'-general,  uiio  is  c;' 
opinion,  that  the  general  court  only  have  a  right  to  giant  licenils,  and  tho^v  - 
fore  I  referred  ihcm  to  the  court  :  but,  on  thtir  applic::tion  to  the  attorney  rj,;- 


16  GENERAL   HISTORY. 

nera',  they  brought  me  his  letter,  advising  me  to  write  to  you.  That  their 
petition  was  a  matter  of  right,  and  that  you  may  not  molest  these  conscienti- 
ous people,  so  long  as  they  behave  themselves  in  a  manner  becoming  pious  chris- 
tians, and  in  obedience  to  ihe  laws,  tiU  the  court,  when  they  intend  to  apply 
for  license,  and  when  the  gentlemen,  who  complain,  may  make  their  objec- 
tioliS,  and  be  heard.  The  a6t  of  toleration  (it  being  found  by  experience,  that 
peifecuting  diifenters,  increafes  their  numbers,)  has  given  them  a  right  to  ap- 
ply, in  a  proper  manner,  for  licensed  houses,  for  the  worship  of  God,  accord^ 
htg  to  their  coosciences  ;  and  I  persuade  myself,  the  gentlemen  will  quietly 
overlook  their  meetings,  till  the  Court,  I  am  told,  they  adminifter  the  Sacra- 
inent  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  near  the  manner  we  do,  and,  differ  in  nothing 
from  our  church,  but  in  that  of  Baptism,  and  their  renewing  the  ancient  dif- 
cipline  j  by  which,  they  have  reformed  fome  finners,  and  brought  them  to  be 
truly  penitent  :  Nay,  if  a  man  of  theirs  is  idle,  and  neglefts  to  labour,  and 
provide  for  his  family  as  he  ought,  he  incurs  their  censures,  which  have  had 
good  effects.  If  this  be  their  behaviour,  it  were  to  be  wifhed,  we  had  some  of 
it  among  us  :  But,  at  leaft,  I  hope,  all  may  remain  quiet,  till  the  Court. 
"  I  am,  with  great  reipe^ts  to  the  gentlemen,  Sir, 

'•  Yourliumhleservan'^,  JOHN  BLAIR. 

"Williamsburg,  July  i6,  17^68." 

When  the  letter  came  to  the  attorney,  he  would 
have  nothing  to  fay  in  the  affair.  Waller,  and  the 
others,  continued  in  jail  4.':;  days,  and  were  then  dif- 
charged,  without  any  conditions.  While  in  prifon^ 
thev  conflantly  preached  thro'  the  grates.  The  mob 
without,  ufed  every  exertion  to  prevent  the  people 
from  hearing,  but  to  little  purpofe.  Many  heard  in- 
deed, upon  whom  the  word  was  in  power  and  demon- 
flratlon. 

After  their  difcharge,  which  was  a  kijid  of  triumph. 
Waller,  Craig,  and  their  compeers  in  the  mifiiftry,  re- 
fumed  their  labours,  with  redoubled  vigour,  gathering 
fortitude  from  their  late  fufferings ;  thanking  God  that 
they  were  counted  worthy  to  fuffer  for  Chrifl  and  his 
gofpel.  Day  and  night,  and  indeed  almoft  every  day 
and  night,  thcj'  held  meetings  in  their  own  and  the  ad- 
jacent neighbourhoods.  The  fpread  of  the  gofpel, 
and  of  Baptifl  principles,  w^as  equal  to  all  their  exerti- 
ons ;  infomuch,  that  in  very  few  fecftions  of  Virginia, 
did  the  Baptiftcaufe  appear  more  formidable  to  its  ene- 
mies, and  more  confoling  to  its  friends,  than  in  Spott- 
Aivania  ;  and  we  may  add,  fo  it  is  at  this  day. 

We  have  already  obferved  the  fpread  of  the  gofpel 
iji  the  county  of  Goochland,  and,  that  certain  promif- 
ing  young  preachers,  were  thrufl  into  the  work.  A  ni- 
mated,  as  they  were,  with  fl:rongde fires  for  the  welfare 


CtNERAL    HISTORY.  17 

of  foulSj  they  could  not  reflrain  themfelves  within  tlie 
limits  of  one  county.  In  December  1770,  MeiTrs. 
Wm.  Webber  andjofeph  Anthony,  two  zealous  young 
preachers,  paiTed  James  River,  into  Chefterfield,  hav- 
ing been  previoufly  invited  by  fomeof  the  inhabitants. 
They,  however,  met  with  rigid  treatment ;  the  ma- 
^imates, finding  that  many  were  turning  to  righteouf- 
nefs,  (to  madnefs,  as  they  would  have  it,)  and,  that 
thefe  young  labourers,  were  likely  to  do  them  much 
harm,  iiTued  warrants,  and  had  them  apprehended  and 
caft  into  prifon.  The  court,  requiring  them  to  bind 
themfelves  to  do,  what  they  could  not,  in  confcience, 
comply  with,  they  continued  in  jail  until  the  March  fol- 
lowing, AVhile  in  prifon,  they  did  much  execution, 
by  preaching  through  the  grates ;  many  people  attend- 
ed their  miniftry,  and  many  profefTed  faith,  by  virtue 
of  the  labours  of  thefe,  the  Lord's  perfecuted  fervants. 
This  was  the  beginning  of  God's  work  in  the  county 
of  Chefterfield  ;  no  county  ever  extended  its  oppofi- 
tion,  and  perfecution  to  the  Baptills,  farther  than 
this ;  and  yet,  in  few  counties,  have  Baptifl  princi- 
ples prevailed  more  extenfively,  than  in  Chefterfield.* 
When  Webber  and  Anthony  were  let  go,  they  re- 
turned to  Goochland,  to  their  own  company,  and  re- 
fumed  their  great  work  ^  Mr.  Webber,  however,  en- 
joyed his  liberty  only  a  few  months ;  he  confented  to 
travel  with  John  Waller,  on  a  courfc  of  meetings,  to 
Middlefex  ;  they  arrived  in  the  upper  end  of  Middle- 
sex on  the  loth  of  Auguft,  1771  :  they  came,  but 
foon  found  their  was  no  chance  to  proceed  in  their 
work  ;  while  Wm.  Webber  was  preaching  from  thefe 
words,  '^  SJi€Z0  me  thy  faith,  without  thy  works,  and 
I  zmll  shez!)  you  my  faith,  hy  my  works,"  a  magiftrate 
pufhed  up,  and  drew  hack  his  club,  with  a  deiign  to 
knock  Webber  down ;  fome  perfon  behind  him,  caught 
the  club,  and  prevented  the  mifchief ;  having  a  war- 
rant to  apprehend  all  \vho  preached,  and  being  back- 
ed by  two  flierifFs,  the  parfon  and  a  pofTe,  he  feized 

*  See  Middle  Distri^:  Association,  Chesterfield  Ch'n-ch. 

C 


18  iit-NEiiAL  nisrorvY. 

Wm.  Webber,  John  Waller,  James  Greenwood  and 
Robert  Ware.     On  the  fame  day,  Thos.  Waford,  who 
had  travelled  from  the  upper  country  with  the  prea- 
chers, though  no  preacher  himfelf,  was  feverely  beat- 
en by  one  of  the  perfecutors,  with  a  whip,   the  fcSr 
of  which,  he  will  probably  carry   to  his  grave ;  he, 
with  the  four  above  named  preachers,  were  tried  by 
James  Montague.     They  fir  ft  fearched  their  faddle- 
bags,  to  find  treafonable  papers  ;  finding  none,  they 
proceeded  to  trial,  taking  them  one  by  one,  into  pri- 
vate rooms,  propofing  to  them,  to  give  bond  and  fe- 
curity  not  to  preach  in  the  county  again.     Each  of 
them  exprefsly  refufed  ;  Waford  was  difcharged,  not 
being  a  preacher;  the  other  four  were  ordered  to  pri- 
fcn,  and  being  condudled  by  two  fheriffs,  they  were 
fafely  lodged  in  clofe  jail  that  night,  about  9  o'clock. 
The  prifon  fwarmed   with  fleas  ;  they   borrowed   a 
candle  of  the  jailer;  and,  having  fung  the  praifes  of 
that  Redeemer,    whofe   crofs   they  bore,  and  from 
whofe  hands  they  exped:ed  a  crov/n  in  the  end;  hav- 
ing returned  thanks  that  it  was  a  prifon,  and  not  hell 
that  they  were  in ;  praying   for   themfelves,    their 
friends,  their  enemies  and  perfecutors,  they  laid  down 
to  fleep.     The  next  day,  being  Sunday,  many  of  their 
friends  came  to  fee  them,  and  were  admitted  into  the 
prifon ;  James  Greenwood  preached  to  them.     They 
were  well  fupplicd  by  their  friends  with  the  necelTa- 
ries  and  comforts  for  living,  which,  added  to  the  fenfe  of 
divine  goodnefs  that  they  enjoyed^  they  had  nounplea- 
'  fant  feafon.  They  gave  notice  that  they  would  preach 
i  every  Wednesday  and  Sunday;  m^any   came  to  hear 
,'  them,  infomuch,  that  their  enemies  began  to  be  en- 
raged, and  would  frequently  beat  a  drum,  while  they 
were  preaching. 

On  Monday  the  24th,  being  court  day,  they  were 
carried  to  the  court-houfe  to  be  tried.  A  guard  at- 
tended them,  as  if  they  had  been  criminals.  They 
vVere  not  allowed  to  fpeak  for  themfelves ,  but  perempt- 
orily required  to  give  bond  and  fecurity  for  good  be- 


GENERAL    HISTORY.  1& 

haviour,  and,  not  to  preach  in  the  county  again  for 
one  year  :  thefc  terms  they  exprefsly  refafed,  and 
were  remanded  to  prifon,  and  orders  given  that  they 
i}ioijld  be  fed  on  bread  and  water  ;  accordingly,  the 
next  day  they  had  nothing  elfe,  and  not  enough  of 
bread  ;  fo  it  continued  for  four  days,  until  tae  breth- 
ren and  friends  found  it  out ;  after  that,  they  were 
furnifhed  fo  plentifully,  that  they  beftowed  in  boun- 
ty, upon  the  poor  inhabitants  of  the  town.  On  Sep- 
tember the  loth,  they  were  allowed  the  prifon  bounds, 
by  which  they  were  much  relieved ;  yet  they  were 
frequently  under  the  neceffity  of  reforting  to  the  jail, 
to  avoid  the  rage  of  perfecutors :  the  Lord  daily  open- 
ed the  hearts  of  the  people  ;  the  rich  fent  many  pre- 
fents,  things  calculated  to  nourifli  them  in  their  fuf- 
ferings,  and  to  alleviate  their  forrows.  Wm.  Webber 
fell  fick  ;  this  excited  the  fympathy  of  their  friends 
in  a  higher  degree :  they  paid  him  great  attention. 
The  perfecutors  found  that  the  imprifonment  of  the 
preachers,  tended  rather  to  the  furtherance  of  the  gof- 
pel.  They  preached  regularly  in  prifon ;  crowds  atten- 
ded ;  the  preaching  feemed  to  have  doable  weight  when 
coming  from  the  jail:  many  viewed  it  with  (uperftiti- 
ous  reverence,  fo  that  their  enemies  became  deiirous 
to  be  rid  of  them.  Accordingly,  on  the  26th  day  of 
September,  after  having  been  30  days  in  clofe  con- 
linement,  and  1 6  days  in  the  bounds,  they  were  libe- 
rated, upon  giving  a  bond  for  good  behaviour. 

The  rage  of  perfecutors  had  in  no  wife  abated ;  they 
ieemed,  fometim^s,  to  ftrive  to  treat  the  Baptifts  and 
their  worfhip,  with  as  much  rudenefs  and  indecency, 
as  was  pofhble .  They  often  infulted  the  preacher  in  time 
of  fervice,  and  would  ride  into  the  water,  and  make 
fport,  when  they  adminiftered  Baptifm  :  they  fre- 
quently fabricated  and  fpread,  the  moft  groundlefs 
reports,  which  were  injurious  to  the  charadiers  of  the 
Baptifts.  When  any  Baptifl:  fell  into  any  improper 
conduct,  it  was  always  exaggerated  to  the  utmoil:  ex- 
tent.    On  one   occafion,    when  Robert  Ware  was 


20  GENERAL    HISTORY. 

preaching,  there  came  one  Davis  and  one  Kemp,  two 
ions  of  Belial,  and  flood  before  him  with  a  bottle, 
and  drank,  offering  the  bottle  to  him,  curfmg  him. — 
As  foon  as  he  clofed  his  fervice,  they  drew  out  a  pack 
of  cards,  and  began  to  play:- on  the  flage  where  he  had 
been  ftanding,  wifhing  him  to  reprove  them,  that 
they  might  beat  him.*  Notwithftanding  thefe  fe- 
vere  oppofitions,  the  word  of  the  Lord  grew,  and 
multiplied  greatly.  Young  preachers  were  ordained, 
and  churches  conftituted  :  the  firft  of  which,  was 
Lozi^er  King  Sj-  Queen  Church ,  conftituted  Odober  17, 
17*72,  with  17  members,  and  on  the  nth  of  February 
following,  Robert  Ware  was  confecrated  as  paftor. 
Glebe  LairdingChmxhy  was  alfo  conftituted  at  the  fame 
time,  and  James  Greenwood  ordained  a  lay-elder. 
Eiol  and  PiscatawayChurcheSy  were  conftituted  in  no 
great  while  after  this.  Ihefe  new  churches,  filled 
with  young  and  inexperienced  members,  were  vifi- 
ted  frequently  by  J.  Waller,  accompanied fometimes 
by  one,  and  fometimes  another,  of  the  preachers  of  his 
own  vicinity:  his  miniftrations  were,  on  the  one  hand, 
exceeding  falutary  and  comfortable  to  his  friends,  but; 
on  the  other,  highly  difpleafing  to  the  enemies  of  the 
Baptifts.  They  viewed  Waller,  as  the  ringleader  of  all 
the  confufion  and  difturbance,  that  had  befallen  th'^^m. 
Great  congregations  of  people  attended  the  Baptift 
meetings,  while  very  few  went  to  the  parifh  church- 
es. The  zealots  for  the  old  order  were  greatly  embar- 
raffed  :  If,  fay  they,,  we  'permit  them  to  go  on,  our 
Church  must  come  to  nothing,  and  yet,  if  we  punish 
them,  as  far  as  jm  can  stretch  the  law,  it  see?ns  not  to 
deter  them  ;  for  they  preach  through  prison  windows, 
in  spite  of  our  endeavours  to  prevent  it.  Sometimes 
the  redor  of  the  parifh,  would  give  notice,  that,  on  a 
certain  day,  he  would  prove  the  Baptists  to  be  deceiv- 
ers, and  their  doBrines  false.  The  attempt  was  of- 
ten  made,    but  they  uniformly  injured  their  own 

•  It  is  worthy  of  note,  that  these  two  men  both   died  foon  after,   ravingly 
diffracted,  each  accufing  the  other  of  leading  him  into  lb  deteftable  a  crime. 


GENEllAL    HISTORY.  21 

caufc  :  their  arguments  were,  generally,  drawn  from 
the  extravagancies  of  the  German  Anabaptifts.     To 
this,  the  Baptifts,  in  a  v/ord  replied;  that  thei/  disclaim- 
ed all  conncBion  with  the  Anabaptists,  and  felt  them- 
aclves  no  more  responsible  for  their  irregutarities,  than 
the  Episcopalians  could  feel  for  the  fooleries  of  the  Pa^ 
pists  :  that  the  Bible  was  the  criterion ;  by  that,  they 
zvere  willing  to  stand  or  fall.     Not  unfrequently,  their 
leading  men  would  attend  the  Baptifl  meetings,   and 
would  enter  into  arguments  with  the  preachers :  they 
inlifted,  that  their  church  was  the  oldeil:,  and  confe- 
quently  the  beil  :  that   their  minifters  were  learned 
men,  and  confequently  mofl  competent  to  interpret 
fcripture  :  that  the  better  fort,    and  well  informed, 
adhered  to  them,  whilfl  none,  or  fcarcely  any  except 
the  lower  order,  followed  the  Baptifts  :    that  they 
were  all  in  peace  and  friendfhip  before  the  coming  of 
the  Baptifts  ;  but  now,  their  houfes  and  neighbour- 
hoods were  filled  with  religious   difputes :  that    the 
Baptifls  were  falle   prophets,   who  were  to  come  in 
Iheep's  clothing. 

.  To  thefe  arguments.  Waller  and  the  other  preach- 
ers, boldly   and   readily  replied :  that   if  they  were 
wolves  in  iheep  clothing,   and  their  opponents  were 
the  true  fl:ieep,    it  was  quite  unaccountable  that  they 
were  perfecuted,   and  caft  into  prifon  :  it  was  well 
known  that  wolves  would  deftroy  flieep,  but  never, 
until  then,  that  fheep  would  prey  upon  wolves :  that 
their  coming,  might  indeed  interrupt  their  peace  j  but 
certainly  if  it  did,  it  muft  be  a  falfe  peace,  bordering 
on  deftrudion ;  and,  to  roufe  them  from  fuch  lethar- 
gy, was  like  wakmg  a  man  whofe  houfe  was  burning 
over  him  :  that  the  eifeds  of  their  coming  were  fimi- 
lar  to  thofe  foretold  by  Chrifl,   as  arifing   from  the 
propagation   of  his   word,     namely,     "  that  there 
should  be  five  in  one  house,  three  against  two,  and  two 
against  three:"  that,  ii"  the  higher  ranks  in  fociety,did 
not  countenance  them,  it  was  no   m.ore  than   what 
befel   their  mafter,   and  his  infuired  apollles:  that 


22  GENERAL   III  STORY. 

rich  men  in  every  generation,  with  fome  fewex'cep- 
tions.  Were  enemies  to  a  pure  gofpel:  but  that  God 
had  declared,  that  he  had  chofen  the  poor  of  this 
v/orld  to  be  rich  in  faith:  that,  it  was  true,  thatmcft 
of  their  preachers  v\'ere  unlearned,  yet  that  they  had 
evidences  that  they  v/ere  called  to  the  miniih-y,  by  the 
will  of  God  :  that  this,  was  the  moll  ellentiai  q-aali- 
fication  of  a  miniller,  the  want  of  which,  all  the 
learning  of  all  the  ichools,  could  not  lupply. 

The  Baptist  preachers  would  often  retort  their  ov/n 
inconiiflencies  upon  them  :  that  while  they  profell'ed 
to  be  Chriftians,  they  indulged  themfelves  in  the  vio- 
lation of  moft  of  the  Chriftian  precepts :  that  their  com- 
munion  was  often  polluted,  by  the  admiilion  of  known 
drunkards,  gamefters,  fwearers,  and 'revellers  :  that 
even  their  clergy,  learned  as  they  were,  had  never 
learned  the  mofl  elTential  dodtrine  of  revelation,  the 
indifpenlible  neceffity  of  the  new  birth,  or  being  born 
again  :  that  their  public  difcourfes,  were  nothing 
more  than  moral  addrefles,  fuch  as  a  pagan  phiiofo- 
pher,  unafiifted  by  the  bible,  could  have  compofed. 

Foiled  in  their  arguments,  and  galled  by  the  re- 
proaches  caft  upon  them,  which  doubtlefs  were  often 
done  with  too  much  acrimony,  they  again  reforted  to 
civil  power.  In  Auguft  1772,  James  Greenwood  and 
Wm.  Loval  were  preaching,  not  far  from  the  place 
where  Bniington  Meeting  Home  now  ftands,  in  tlie 
county  of  King  &  Queen,  when  they  were  feized  by 
virtue  of  a  warrant,  and  immediately  conveyed  to  pri- 
fon.  After  the  firft  day  and  night,  they  were  allow- 
ed the  bounds.  Having  continued  in  prifon  fixteen 
days,  i.  e,  until  court,  they  were  difcharged,  upon 
giving  bond  merely  for  good  behaviour.  At  this  sea- 
son they  received  the  moft  unbounded  kindnefs  from 
Mr.  Harwood  the  jailer,  and  his  lady.  They  preached 
regularly  while  in  prifon,  and  to  much  purpofe. 

On  March  13th,  1774,  the  day  on  which  Pifcata- 
way  Church  was  conllituted,  a  warrant  was  iffued  to 
apprehend  all  the  Baptift  preachers  that  were  at  meetr. 


GENERAL    IIISTOEY 


ing.     Accordingly,  John  Waller,  John  Schackleford, 
Robert  Ware  and  Ivifon  Lewis,  were  taken  and  car- 
ried before  a  magiilrate.  Ivifon  Lewis  was  difmified, 
not  having  preached  in  the  county  -/  the  other    four 
were  lent  to  prifon.     It  appears   from  Mr.  Waller's 
journals,  which  we  have  before  us,  that  while  in  pri- 
fon, God  permitted  them  to  pafs  through  divers  and 
fiery  trials  ;  their  minds,  for  a  feafon,  being  greatly 
harraifed  by  the  enemy  of  fouls.  They  however,  from 
firft  to  laft  of  their  imprifonment,  preached  twice  a 
week,  gave  much  godly  advice  to  fuch  as  came  to  vi- 
lit  them,  read  a  great  deal,  and  prayed  almofl:  with- 
out cealing.  In  their  ftated  devotion,  morning,  noon, 
and  night,  they  were  often  joined  by  others.     They 
continued  in  clofe  confinement  from  the  1 3th  to  the 
2ift  of  March,  which  was  court  day;  being  brought 
to  trial,  they  were  required  to  give  bond  and  fecurity 
for  their  good  behavior  for  1 2  months,  or  go  back  to 
prifon.     Ware  and  Shackleford  gave  bond  and  went 
home  ;   Waller  being  always  doubtful  of  the  propri- 
ety of  giving  any  bond  whatever,  determined  to  go 
back  to  jail 

The  trials  of  this  man  of  God  were  now  greater 
than  ever.  Deferted  by  his  brethren,  fcoffed  and 
perfecuted  by  his  enemies,  locked  up  with  a  fet  of 
drunken,  profane  wretches,  he  had  no  alternative 
but  to  commit  himfelf  to  the  hands  of  Omnipotence, 
and  wait  his  deliverance  After  remaining  in  prifon 
14  days,  he  gained  his  own  confent  to  give  bond,  and 
go  home. 

We  have  thus  ilated  a  few  inilances  of  the  fufter- 
ings  of  God's  minifters,  in  thofe  times  :  time  and 
fpace  would  fail  to  enumerate  them  all ;  many  of 
them,  however,  will  be  rehearfed,  in  treating  upon 
the  churches,  and  in  the  biography  of  fome  of  the 
fufierers.  The  trial  and  imprifonment  of  all  the  refr, 
differ  only  in  fmall  matters  from  thofe  already  def- 
cribed.  From  the  beginning,  the  Baptifiis  were  un^ 
remitting  in  their  exertions  to  obtain  liberty  of  coa- 


24  GENERAL   HISTORY. 

fcience  :  they  contended  that  they  could  not  be  im- 
prifoned  by  any  exiiling  law :  that  they  were  entitled 
to  the  fame  privileges  that  were  enjoyed  by  the  dif- 
fenters  in  England  ;  their  judges,  however,  decided 
otherwife,  and  as  there  was  no  regular  appeal,  the 
propriety  of  that  decifion,  has  not  been  legally  afcer- 
tained  ;  the  prevailing  opinion  in  the  prefent  day,- is, 
that  their  imprifonment  was  unlawful ;  when  they 
could  not  fucceed  in  this  way,  they  reforted  to  the 
general  court,  for  the  purpofe  of  obtaining  licenfed 
places  for  preaching,  &c.  agreeable  to  the  toleration 
law  in  England. 

It  was,  in  making  thefe  attempts,  that  they  were  fo 
fortunate  as  to  intereft  in  their  behalf,  the  celebrated 
Patrick  Henry ;  being  always  the  friend  of  liberty, 
he  only  needed  to  be  informed  of  their  oppreffion  ; 
without  helitation,  he  ftepped  forward  to  their  relief. 
From  that  time,  until  the  day  of  their  complete 
emancipation,  from  the  (liackles  of  tyranny,  the  Bap- 
tifts  found  in  Patrick  Henry,  an  unwavering  friend. 
May  his  name  defceed  to  poflerity  with  unfuUied  ho- 
nour !  After  fome  difficulty,  they  obtained  their  ob- 
ject, and  certain  places  were  licenfed  accordingly. — 
But  to  a  people,  prompted  as  the  Baptifts  were,  with 
unwearied  zeal  for  the  propagation  of  the  gofpel,  a 
few  licensed  places  in  each  county,  was  but  a  fmall 
acquifition  ;  they  thirfted  for  the  liberty  to  preach 
the  gofpel  to  every  creature. 

In  the  meantime,  every  thing  tended  to  favour  their 
wiflies  :  their  perfecution  fo  far  from  impeding,  real- 
ly promoted  their  caufe :  their  preachers  had  now 
become  numerous,  and  fome  of  them  were  men  of 
confiderable  talents.  Many  of  the  leading  men  fa- 
voured them  ;  fome  from  one  motive  and  fome  from 
another  :  their  congregations  w^ere  large,  and  when 
any  of  their  men  of  talents  preached,  they  were  crow- 
ded. The  patient  manner  in  which  they  fuitered  per- 
fecution, raifed  their  reputation  for  piety  and  good- 
nefs,  in  the  estimation  of  a  lai  ge  majority  of  the  peo- 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  25 

pie.  Their  numbers  annually  increased  in  a  surprising 
degree.  Every  month,  new  places  were  found  by 
the  preachers,  whereon  to  plant  the  Hedeeiner's  ftan- 
dard.  In  these  places,  although  but  few  might  be- 
come Baptiilsy  yet  the  majority  would  be  favourable. 
iViany  that  had  expressed  great  hostility  to  them,  up- 
on forming  a  more  close  acquaintance  with  them,  pro- 
fessed to  be  undeceived.  We  have  already  seen,  that 
the  firfl:  Separate  Baptifl:  Churchj  North  of  James  Ri- 
ver, was  formed  in  1 767,  and  the  second  in  1 769 ; 
So  that,  at  the  commencement  of  the  year  1770, 
there  v/ere  but  two  Separate  Churches  in  all  Virginia, 
North  of  James  River ;  and  we  may  add,  there  were 
not  more  than  about  four,  on  the  South  side.  In  177-^', 
by  referring  to  the  history  of  the  general  association, 
we  find,  that  there  were  30  on  the  South,  and  24  on 
the  North  fide,  that  fen  t  letters,  &;c.  to  the  afiTociation; 
besides  a  probability  of  several  that  did  not  associate. 
This  muft  be  considered  a  very  rapid  increase,  for  so 
short  a  time.  The  Baptifi:  interefl:  increased  in  a  much 
greater  proportion.  80  favourable  did  their  prospers 
appear,  that  towards  the  close  of  the  year  177^^% 
they  began  to  entertain  serious  hopes,  not  only  of  ob- 
taining liberty  of  conscience,  but,  of  actually  over- 
turning the  church  eftablifliment,  from  whence,  all 
their  oppressions  had  arisen.  Petitions  for  ihis  pur- 
pofe  were  accordingly  drawn,  and  circulated  with 
great  indufiiry.  Vast  numbers  readily,  and  indeed  ea- 
gerly, subscribed  to  them,  'j'he  great  success  and  ra- 
pid increase  of  the  Baptifts  in  Virginia,  mufi:  be  af- 
cribed  primarily,  to  the  power  of  God  working  with 
them.  Yet  it  cannot  be  denied,  but,  that  there  were 
subordinate  and  co-operating  causes ;  one  of  which, 
and  the  main  one,  was  the  loose  and  immoral  deport- 
ment of  the  eftabliflied  clergy,  by  v/hich,  the  people 
were  left  almoft  deftitute  of  even  the  shadow  of  true 
religion.  'Tis  true,  they  had  some  outv/ard  forms  of 
worihip,  but  the  essential  principles  of  chrifliafiity, 
were,  not  only  not  underftood  among  them,  but  by 
pftanv,  never  heard  of.     Some  of  the  cardinal  precepts 

D 


20  GENERAL   HISTORY. 

of  morality,  were  disregarded,  and  aiftions    plainly 
forbidden  by  the  New  ieftament,  were  often  pro- 
claimed by  the  clergy,  harmless  and  innocent,  or  at 
v/orft,  foibles  of  but  little  account.     Having  no  dis- 
cipline, every  man  followed  the  bent  of  his  own  incli- 
nation.    It  was  not  uncommon  for  the  rectors  of  pa- 
riflies,  to  b^  men  of  the  loosest  morals.     'J  he  Haptifi: 
preachers  were,  in  almost  every  respect,  the  reverse 
of  the  eflablilhed  clergy,      ihe  Baptist  preachers 
were  without  learning,  ^yithout  patronage,  general- 
ly very  poor,  very  plain  in  their  dress,  unrefined  in 
their  manners,  and  awkward  in  their  address ;  all  of 
which,  by  their  enterprising  zeal  and  unwearied  per- 
severance, they  either  turned  to  advantage,  or  pre- 
vented their  ill  efFe(5ls.     On  the  other  hand,  most  of 
the  ministers  of  the  establishment  were  men  of  classi- 
cal and  scientific  educations,    patronised  by  men  in 
power,  connected  with  great  families,  supported  by 
competent  salaries,  and  put  into  office  by  the  strong 
arm  of  civil  power.     Thus  pampered  and  secure,  the 
men  of  this  order,  were  rolling  on  the  bed  of  luxury, 
when  the  others  began  their  extraordinary  career. — 
Their  learning,  riches,  power,  &c.  seemed  only  to  has- 
ten their  overthrow,  by  producing  an  unguarded  heed- 
lessness, which  is  so  often  the  prelude  to  calamity  and 
downfall. 

We  are  not  to  understand,  that  this  important  eccle- 
siastical revolution,  wasefi'ected  wholly  by  the  Baptifts 
— ^They  were  certainly  the  mofl  adive  ;  but  they  were 
also  joined  by  other  dissenters.  Nor  was  the  dissent- 
ing interest,  all  united,  by  any  means,  at  that  time, 
equal  to  the  accomplishment  of  such  a  revolution ;  we 
mufl  turn  our  eyes  to  the  political  state  of  the  country, 
to  find  adequate  causes  for  such  a  change. 

'J 'he  Britifli  yoke  had  now  galled  to  the  quick  :  and 
the  Virginians,  as  having  the  mofl  tender  necks,  were 
among  the  first  to  wince.  Republican  principles 
had  gained  much  ground,  and  were  fast  advancing  to 
superiority  j  the  leading  men  on  that  side,  viewed  the 
Established  clergy,  and  the  established  religion,  as  in- 


(GENERAL    IIISTORY.  27 

separable  appendages  of  Monarchy;  one  of  the  pil- 
lars by  which  it  was  supported.     The  dissenters,  at 
least  the  Baptifts,  were  republicans  from  interest,  as 
well  as  principle ;  it  was  known  that  their  influence 
was  great  among  the  common  people ;  and  the  com- 
mon people  of  every  country  are,  more  or  less,  repub- 
licans.    'J  o  resist  iiritifh  oppreffions  effectually  ;  it 
was  necessary  to  foothe  the  minds  of  the  people  by  eve- 
ry species  of  policy.     The  dissenters  were  too  pow- 
erful to  be  slighted,  and  they  v/ere  too  watchful,  to 
be  cheated,  by  an  ineffectual  sacrifice .  1  here  had  been 
a  time,  when  they  would  have  been  satisfied,  to  have 
paid  their  tithes,  if  they  could  have  had  liberty  of 
conscience  ;  but  now,  the  crisis  was  such,  that  noth- 
ing less  than  .a  total  overthrow  of  all  ecclesiastical  dis- 
tinctions, would  satisfy  their  sanguine  hopes.      Hav- 
ing started  the  decaying  edifice,  every  dissenter  put 
to  his  flioulder,  to  pufli  it  into  irretrievable  ruin.— 
The  revolutionary  party  found  that  the  sacrifice  muff 
be  made,  and  they  made  it. 

It  is  said  however,  and  probably  not  without  truth, 
that  many  of  the  Episcopalians  who  voted  for  abolifli- 
ing  the  effabiiffiment,  did    it,    upon  an  expectation 
that  it  would  be  succeeded  by  a  general  assessment : 
And  considering,  that  mofi:  of  the  men  of  wealth  were 
on  that  side,  they  supposed  that  their  funds  would  be 
lessened  very  little.     This,  it  appeared  in  the  sequel, 
was  a  vain  expectation.    The  people  having  once  sha- 
ken off  their  fetters,  would  not  again  permit  them- 
selves to  be  bound.     Moreover,  the  v/ar  now  rising 
to  its  height,  they  were  in  too  much  need  of  funds,  to 
permit  any  of  their  resources,  to  be  devoted  to  any 
other  purpose,  during  that  period ;  and,  we  ihall  see, 
that  when  it  was  attempted,  a  few  years  after  the  ex- 
piration of  the  war,  the  people  set  their  faces  against 
it.      H  aving  thus  mentioned  the  establishipentj^^  k^ill 
be  proper  to  treat  m.ore  fully^^    respecting  tFe  origin 
and  nature  of  those  laws,  by  which  it  arose  and  fefl. 

Our  ancestors,  bejng  chiefiy  emigrants  from  Eh- 


28  GENERAL   HI  STORY. 

gland,  brought  with  them  all  that  religious  intolerance 
which  had  so  long  prevailed  in  the  mother  country. — 
'J'hus  we  see,  that  the  first  care  of  our  early  legislature^^ 
was  to  provide  for  the  church  of  i'>ngland,  as  establish- 
ed by  the  act  of  parliament.  By  the  first  act  of  ]  623, 
it  is  provided  that,  in  every  plantation,  or  settlement, 
there  shall  be  a  house  or  room  set  apart  for  the  worlhip 
of  God.  But,  it  soon  appears  that  this  v/oriliip  was  only 
to  be  according  to  the  canons  of  the  church  of  England, 
to  which  a  strict  uniformity  was  enjoined.  A  person  ab~ 
sentingliimself  from  divine  service,  on  a  Sunday,  witli- 
out  a  reasonable  excuse,  forfeited  a  pound  of  tobacco  j 
and  he  that  absented  himself  a  month,  forfeited  oO  lbs. 
AnyiTiinister  who  was  absent  from  his  church  above, 
two  months  in  a  year,  forfeited  half  his  salary  ;  and  he 
who  absented  himself  four  months,  forfeited  the  whole . 
Whoever  disparaged  a  minifter,  whereby  the  minds  of 
his  parishioners  might  be  alienated,  was  compelled  to 
pay  500  lbs.  of  tobacco,  and  ask  the  minister's  pardon 
publicly  in  the  congregation .  N  o  man  v»''as  permitted 
to  dispose  of  any  of  his  tobacco,  till  the  minister  was 
satisfied,  under  the  penalty  of  forfeiting  double  his  part 
of  the  minister's  salary. 

The  first  allowance  made  to  the  ministers  was  ten  lb. 
of  tobacco  and  a  bufhel  of  corn  for  each  tithable  ;  and 
every  labouring  person,  of  what  quality  or  condition 
soever,  was  bound  to  contribute.  In  the  year  163  J, the 
assembly  granted  to  the  ministers,  besides  the  former 
allowance  of  ten  pounds  of  tobacco  and  a  bufliel  of 
corn,  the  20th  calf,  the  20th  kid,  and  the  20th  pig 
This  was  the  first  introduction  of  tithes,  properly  so  cal- 
led, in  Virginia.  But  it  did  not  continue  long ;  for,  in 
1 6 '5  3 ,  the  law  was  repealed. 

To  preserve  the  "  purity  of  doctrine,  and  unity  of  the 
church,"  it  was  enacted  in  1643,  that  all  m.inisters 
should  be  conformable  to  the  orders  and  constitutions 
of  the  church  of  England,  and  that  no  others  be  per- 
mitted to  teach  or  preach  publicly  or  privately.  It 
was  further  provided,  that  the  governor  and  council 


GJENEBAL    HISTORY.  39 

should  take  care  that  all  non^confornmts,  departed  the 
colony  with  all  conveniency. 

'J  he  statute  of  England  of  the  3d  of  James  I.  against 
popish  recusants,  was  also  adopted  in  the  year  l()-i3. 
'I'his  statute,  declared  that  no  popifh  recusant  should 
exercise  the  office  of  secret  councellor,  register,  com- 
missioner (a  term  then  used  for  justices  of  the  peace), 
surveyor,  or  sheriff,  or  any  other  public  office.  Nor 
should  any  person  be  admitted  into  any  of  those  offi- 
ces, before  he  had  taken  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and 
supremacy.  The  same  act  of  assembly,  by  which  the 
statute  of  3d  James  I.  was  adopted,  further  declared, 
that  if  any  person  should  assume  the  exercise  of  any 
of  those  offices,  and  refuse  to  take  the  said  oaths,  he 
should  be  dismissed,  and  moreover  forfeit  1000  pounds 
of  tobacco.  No  popilh  priest  thereafter  arriving  in 
the  colony,  was  permitted  to  remain  more  than  five 
days,  if  wind  and  weather  permitted  his  departure. 

During  the  existance  of  the  commonwealth  of  F  n- 
gland,  the  church  government  of  Virginia  experien- 
ced ?.n  important  change.  Instead  of  enjoining  obe- 
dience to  the  doctrine  and  discipline  of  the  church  of 
England,  no  injunction  in  favour  of  any  particular  sect 
appears.  Every  thing  relating  to  the  affiiirs  of  the 
church,  was  left  at  the  entire  disposal  of  the  vestry, 
who  being  elected  by  the  people,  it  may,  in  effect,  be 
said  that  the  people  regulated  their  own  church  gov- 
ernment. 

The  above  law  paffed  at  the  March  session  1657-8. 
But  only  two  years  afterwards  (at  the  March  session 
l6o9-60),  when  the  Quakers  first  made  their  appear- 
ance in  Virginia,  the  utmost  degree  of  persecution 
was  exercised  towards  them.  No  master  of  a  vessel 
was  permitted  to  bring  in  a  Quaker,  under  the  penal- 
ty of  100/.  sterling;  all  Quakers  were  imprisoned  with- 
out bail  or  mainprize,  till  they  found  sufficient  secu- 
rity to  depart  the  colony  ;  for  returning,  they  were  di- 
rected to  be  provided  against  as  contemners  of  the  laws 
and  magistracjr,  and  punifhed  accordingly;  and  if  they 


.'^O  GKNERAL   HISTORV- 

jdiouki  come  in  a  third  time,  they  were  to  be  prosecu- 
ted as  felons.  All  persons  were  prohibited  under  the 
penalty  of  joo/.  sterling  from  entertaining  them,  or 
permitting  their  assemblies  in  or  near  then*  houses ; 
and  no  person  was  permitted  to  dispose  of,  or  publish, 
any  books  or  pamphlets  containing  the  tenets  of  their 
reli^^ion.  An  awful  memento  of  the  danger  of  viv- 
ing  to  the  civil  authority,  power  over  the  consciences 
of  the  people !  This  severe  law  against  the  quakers,  pas- 
sed during  the  commonwealth,  when  the  people  were 
T'.nrcstrained  in  matters  of  religion;  but  it  happened 
.\n  this  case,  as  it  generally  has,  where  the  civil  pow- 
er undertakes  to  interfere  at  all,  that  the  ruling  par- 
ty in  the  s.tate,  will  tolerate  no  religion  in  the  church, 
but  their  own. 

A  levy  of  1 5  lb.  of  tobacco  per  poll  was  laid,  in  the 
year  .'655,  upon  all  tithables ;  the  surplus  of  which, 
after  paying  the  minister's  salary,  was  to  be  laid  out 
in  purchasing  a  glebe  and  stock  for  the  minister. — 
This  law  was  re-enacted  in  the  revisal  of  '657.  A  fter 
the  restoration  of  Charles  II.  which  happened  on  the 
29th  of  May  1660,  a  temporary  provision  was  again 
made  for  the  established  church. 

in  the  year  1661,  the  supremacy  of  the  church  of 
England,  was  again  fully  establifhed.  The  first  nine 
acts  of  the  session  held  in  March  1 661-2,  are  devoted 
to  that  subject.  A  church  was  to  be  built  in  each 
parish  ;  and  vestries  appointed.  Glebes  were  direct- 
ed to  be  procured  for  the  ministers,  and  convenient 
houses  built  thereon  ;  in  addition  to  which,  their  sa- 
laries were  fixed  at  8c}/.  per  annum,  at  least,  besides 
their  perquisites .  N  o  minister  was  permitted  to  preach, 
unless  he  had  received  ordination  from  some  bishop  in 
Kngland.  If  any  person,  without  such  ordination,  at- 
tempted to  preach  publicly  or  privately,  the  governor 
and  council  might  suspend  and  silence  him  ;  and,  if  he 
persisted,  they  were  empowered  to  send  him  out  of 
the  country.  In  those  parishes,  where  there  was  not 
a  minister  to  officiate  every  Sunday,  a  I'eader  was  to  be 


CEfiERAL   HISTORY.  dl 

appointed,  whose  duty  it  was  to  read  divine  service 
every  intervening  ^  Sunday .  The  liturgy,  according  to 
the  canons  of  the  church  of  England,  was  to  be  read 
every  Sunday  by  the  minister  or  reader ;  and  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  sacraments  was  to  be  duly  observ- 
ed. No  other  catechism  than  that,  inserted  in  the 
book  of  common  prayer,  could  be  taught  by  the  mi- 
nister ;  nor  could  a  reader  attempt  to  expound  that, 
or  the  scriptures.  Ministers  were  compelled  to  preach 
every  Sunday  j  one  Sunday  in  a  month,  at  the  (,ha- 
pel,  if  any,  and  the  others  at  the  parish  church ;  and 
twice  a  year  he  was  compelled  to  administer  the  sacra- 
ment of  the  I  ord's  supper.  Every  person  was  com- 
pelled to  attend  church  every  Sunday,  under  the  pe- 
nalty of  oi' lb.  of  tobacco.  But  Quakers  and  non- 
conformists were  liable  to  the  penalties  of  the  statute 
of '23d  i'lizabeth,  which  was  20/.  sterling  for  every 
month's  absence,  and,  moreover,  for  tv/elve  months' 
absence,  to  give  security  for  their  good  behaviour. — 
Quakers  were  further  liable  to  a  fine  of  200  lbs.  of 
tobacco,  for  each  one  found  at  one  of  their  meetings  ; 
and  in  case  of  the  insolvency  of  any  one  of  them, 
those  who  were  able  were  to  pay  for  the  insolvents.^*' 

Various  other  lav/s  passed  between  the  above  pe- 
riod, and  the  commencement  of  the  American  revo- 
lution, by  which  the  established  religion  of  the  church 
of  England  was  protected  by  the  state.  The  salary  of 
the  ministers  was  first  settled  at  16  thousand  pounds  of 
tobacco,  in  the  year  1696,  be  levied  by  the  vestry 
on  the  tithables  of  their  parifli,  and  so  continued 
to  the  revolution.  Any  minister  admitted  into  a 
pariih,  was  entitled  to  all  the  spiritual  and  tem- 
poral rights  thereof^  and  might  maintain  an  action 
against  any  person  v/ho  attempted  to  disturb  him 
in  his  possession. 

The  same  acts  provided  for  the  Durcliase  of  c>;Iebe.s 
tor  the  mmisters. 

*  S-e  Kening's  statutes  :it  lai-ge,  vol.  I.  S:  11.   fci-  the  abov.-  .'.r.'  -,. 


S2  GfiNfifeA-L    jffST<5ftY. 

Though  the  toleration  law,  is  not  believed  to  have 
been  stnctlif  obligatory  in  Virginia,  yet,  as  was  fre- 
quently the  case,  at  that  period,  it  was  acted  under  in 
many  instances . . .  .That  it  was  doubtful  whether  acts  of 
parliament  respecting  religion,  were  in  force  ifi  Virgi- 
nia, appears,  by  the  act  of  October  1776,  ch.  2,  sec.  J. 
Even  this  act  of  toleration,  is,  a  most  flagrant  violation 
of  religious  freedom. 

A  t  the  October  session  1776,  the  first  lav^  passed  sus- 
pending the  payment  of  the  salaries  formerly  allowed 
to  the  ministers  of  the  church  of  England.  The  pre- 
amble to  this  act  is  worthy  of  consideration,  and  was 
probably  drawn  by  Mr.  Jefferson,  who  v/as  then  a 
member.  A  number  of  memorials  from  different  re- 
ligious societies,  dissenters  from  the  church  of  '  -ng- 
lan  j,  were  presented  to  this  assembly,  praying  to  be  ex- 
empted from  the  payment  of  parochial  dues  to  the 
church  of  England,  and  for  the  abolition  of  the  estab- 
lished church.  In  opposition  to  these,  there  was  a  me- 
morial from  the  clergymen  of  the  church  of  Fngland, 
praying  that  the  establishment  might  be  continued. 

These  memorials  formed  the  basis  of  the  act  of  that 
session  above  mentioned.  This  act,  "  for  exempting 
"the  different  societies  of  dissenters  from  contribu- 
*'  ting  to  the  support  and  maintenance  of  the  church, 
"  as  by  law  established,  and  its  ministers,"  was  pre- 
ceded by  a  set  of  resolutions,,  recognizing  the  same 
principles  which  were  afterwards  engrafted  into  the 
act  itself.  It  does  not  appear  by  what  majority  this 
act  passed,  as  the  ayes  and  noes  were  not  taken  on  it. 
At  the  May  session  1777>  the  payment  of  the  salaries 
allowed  to  the  clergy  of  the  church  of  England,  was 
further  suspended  ;  and  at  the  October  session  1779> 
so  much  of  every  act  as  related  to  the  salaries  formerly 
given  to  the  clergy  of  the  church  of  England,  was  re- 
pealed. 

The  question,  as  to  the  propriety  of  a  general  assess- 
ment, had  long  been  much  agitated,  and  a  great  variety 
of  opinions  existed  respecting  it .    By  the  5th  section  of 


GUENEB'AL    HISTOBY.  33 

tke  adt  of  October  177^,  which  firfl  fufpeiided  the 
payment  of  the  falaries  allowed  to  the  clergy  of  the 
church  of  England,  this  quellionas  to  a  general  af- 
{cffment  is  exprefsly  left  undecided. 

In  1784,  the  fubjedt  of  a  general  afleffinent  was 
again  revived.  A  bill,  which  had  for  its  object  the 
conipelling  of  every  perfon  to  contribute  to  fome  re- 
ligious teacher,  was  introduced  into  the  Hdufe  of  De- 
legatesi  under  the  title  of  "  A  Bill,  eflabliiliing  pro- 
vilion  for  the  teachers  of  the  Chriftian  religion  -/'  but 
on  its  third  reading,  it  was  poftponed  till  the  fourth 
'J'hurfday  in  November  then  next*  Ayes  45,  Noes 38. 
The  following  resolution  was  immediately  afterwards 
adopted.     *'  Resolved,  that  the  eiigfolTed  bill  eftab- 

*  liihing  a  provifion  for  the  teachers  of  the  Chriftian 

*  religion,  together  with  the  names  of  the  ayes  and 

*  noes  on  the  queftion  of  poftponing  the  third  read- 

*  ingof  the  faid  bill  to  the  fourth  Thurfday  in  No- 

*  vember  next,  be  publiftied  in  hand-bills,  and  twelve 

*  copies  thereof  delivered  to  each  member  of  the  Ge- 

*  neral  Aflembly,  to  be  diftributed  in  their  refpedtive 

*  counties  ;  and  that  the  people  thereof,  be  requefted 

*  to  fignify  their  opinion  refpeding  the  adoption  of 

*  fucha  bill  to  the  next  feffionof  aflembly." 

The  above  refolution  drew  forth  a  number  of  able 
and  animated  memorials  from  religious  focieties  of 
different  denominations,  againft  the  general  afTeiT- 
ment.  Among  a  great  variety  of  compofitions,  pof- 
feffing  different  degrees  of  merit,  a  paper  drawn  up 
by  Col.  James  Madifon(nowPrelidentof  the  United 
States),  intituled  "A  Memorial  and  Remonftrance," 
will  ever  hold  a  moft  diftinguifhed  place.  For  ele- 
gance of  ftyle,  ftrength  of  reafoning,  and  purity  of 
principle,  it  has,  perhaps,  seldom  been  equalled; 
certainly  never  furpalTed  by  any  thing  in  the  Englifh 
language.^ 

The  fentiments  of  the  people  appearing  to  be  de- 
cidedly againft  a  general  aflelTment,  the  queftion  w^ 
given  up  forever. 


34  GENERAL   HISTORY. 

At  the  fattie  feflion,  however,  (0<fc.  1 784,)  in  which 
the  bill  providing  for  a  general  alTeiTment  failed,  an 
ad:  pafTed  for  "  Incorporating  the  Proteflant  Epifco- 
pal  Church."  This  bill  paffed  the  Houfe  of  Dele- 
gates by  a  fmall  majority  only,  being  ayes  47,  noes 
38  ;  but  in  1786,  it  was  repealed.  13y  the  repealing 
law,  the  property  belonging  to  all  religious  focieties 
was  fecured  to  thofe  focieties  refpedtively,  who  were 
authorifed  to  appoint  from  time  to  time,  according 
to  the  rules  of  their  fed:,  truilees,  for  the  managing 
and  applying  fuch  property  to  the  religious  ufes  of  the 
fociety.  j^'.  nd  all  laws,  which  prevented  any  religious 
fociety  from  regulating  its  own  difcipline,  were  re-  . 
pealed. 

Under  the  old  ecclefiaflical  eftabliihment,  no  per- 
son could  celebrate  the  rites  of  matrimony,  but  a  mi- 
niiler  of  the  church  of  England,  and  according  to  the 
ceremony  prefcribed  in  the  book  of  common  prayer. 
Cafes,  however,  frequently  occurred,  efpecially  du- 
ring the  war,  where  the  marriage  ceremony  was  per- 
formed by  others.  This  gave  rife  to  an  ad  of  Odo  - 
ber  1780j  which  declared  all  former  marriages  cele- 
brated by  dilTenting  minifters  good  and  valid  in  law; 
and  authorifed  the  county  courts  to  licenfe  diiTenting 
minifters  of  the  gofpel,  not  exceeding  four  to  each 
fed:,  to  celebrate  the  rites  of  matrimony  within  their 
counties  only;  It  was  not  lintil  the  year  1784,  that 
the  diffenters  were  put  on  the  fame  footing  as  all 
other  perfons>  with  refped  to  celebrating  the  rites  of 
matrimony.  By  this  ad,  the  marriage  ceremony 
might  be  performed  by  any  minifter  licenfed  to  preach, 
according  to  the  rules  of  the  fed  of  which  he  pro- 
.  felled  to  be  a  member.  The  fame  ad:  has  been  incor- 
porated in  the  late  revifal  of  "our  laws, 

The  legiflatiire  of  1798,  repealed  ^^lawsvefting 
property  in  the  hands  of  any  religious  it(X.  By 
which  the  Epifcopalians  were  deprived  of  the  glebes, 
&c.  by  which  all  religious  ieds  were  put  into  a  flate 


pENERAL    HISTORY.  35 

of  perfed  equality,  as  it  refpe(!ted  the  favours  of  gov- 
ernment,* 


CHAPTER  IV, 

From  ihe  Abolition  of  the  Established  Church  fo  the  pre- 
se}U-  times,  being  the  end  of  the  General  History  of  the 
Separate  Baj^iists. 

The  war,  though  very  propitious  to  the  liberty  of 
rhe  Baptifls,  had  an  oppolite  effedib  upon  the  life  of 
religion,  among  them*  As  if  perfecution  was  more 
favourable  to  vital  piety,  than  unreftrained  liberty, 
they  feem  to  have  sibated  in  their  zeal,  upon  being 
unihackled  from  their  manacles.  This  may  be  af- 
eribed  to  feveral  caufes :  Both  preachers  and  people 
were  fo  much  engrolTed,  with  anxious  thoughts,  and 
fchemes  for  effecting  the  revolution,  as  well  as  with 
alternate  hopes  and  fears  for  the  event,  it  was  not 
probable  that  religion  ihould  not  lofe  fome  portion  of 
its  influence  upon  the  minds  of  profeflbrs  thus  divi- 
vided.  The  downfal  of  Jeremiah  VValker/f*  and 
fome  other  preachers  of  lefs  note,  together  with  the 
contentions  ariUng  from  Waller's  defectionjj  contri- 
buted, not  a  little,  towards  damping  the  zeal  of  the 
Baptifls.  Having  loil  fome  of  their  champions  in  If- 
rael^  they  could  not,  with  the  fame  boldnefs,  face 
their  jenemies.  Perhaps  we  may  add,  that  many  did 
Bot  rightly  eflimate  the  true  fource  of  liberty,  nor 
afcribe  its  attainment  to  the  proper  arm.  In  confe- 
quence  of  which,  God  fent  them  liberty,  and  with  it,  » 
Jeannefs  of^foul.  This  chill  to  their  religious  ajffec- 
tfons,  might  have  fubfidedwith  the  war,  or  perhaps 
fooner,  if  there  had  not  been  fubfequent  occurrences, 
which  tended  to  keep  them  down.  The  opening  a 
free  trade  by  peace,  fcrved  as  a  powerful  bait,  to  en- 

*  Most  of  tht  above  history  of  the  laws  of  Virginia,   respefting  rcl.^ioK, 
was  furhiflied  by  Wm.  W.  Hcning,  Efq. 

f  See  Walker's  biography.  %  See  Waller's  biography. 


36  GJENERAL   HISTORY. 

trap  profelibrs  who  were  in  any  great  degree,  inclin- 
ed to  the  purfuit  of  wealth.  Nothing  is  more  com- 
mon, than  for  the  increafe  of  riches,  to  produce  a 
decreafe  of  piety.  Speculators  feldom  make  warm 
chriftians.  Kentucky  and  the  Weflern  Country  took 
off  many  of  the  preachers,  who  had  once  been,  ex- 

.  ceeding  fuccefsful  in  the  miniOry.  From  whatever 
caufe,  certain  it  is,  that  they  fuffered  a  very  wintry 
feafon.  With  fome  few  exceptions  the  declenlioa 
^was  general,  throughout  the  ftate.  The  love  of  ma- 
ny waxed  cold.  Some  of  the  watchmen  fell,  others 
flumbled,  any  many  (lumbered  at  their  pofts.  Iniqui- 
ty greatly  abounded.  Affociations  were  but  thinly 
attended,  and  the  bufmefs  badly  condu(fted.  God 
has  left  many  promifes,  that  he  will  not  always  chide 
nor  be  angry  with  his  people  ;  that  he  will  turn  again 
the  captivity  of  Zion,  &c.  The  long  and  great  de- 
cleniion,  induced  many  to  fear,  that  the  times  of  re- 
frefhing  would  never  ccme,  but  that  God  had  whol- 
ly forfaken  them. 

Their  enemies  likev/ile  often  reproached  them,  fay- 
ing :  '*  Where  is  the  promife  of  his  coming.  We 
believed  and  faid  they  would  come  to  nothing,  and 
our  predi<5lion  is  faft  fulfilling."  But,  let  God  be 
true  and  every  man  a  liar.  The  fet  time  to  favour 
Zion,  at  length  arrived,  and  as  the  declenfion  had 
been  general,  fo  alfo  was  the  revival.  It  may  be 
confidered  as  having  begun  in  1785,  on  James  River. 
It  fpread,  as  fire  among  ftubble.  Continuing  for  fe- 
veral  years,  indifferent  parts:  very  few  churches 
were  without  the  blefling  :  How  great  the  change  ! 
When  religion  was  down,  nothing  but  lamentations, 
mixed  with  groans  and  tears,  could  be  heard,  from 
its  zealous  advocates.  Oh !  that  it  were  with  us  as  in 
days  pail:,  when  the  candle  of  the  Lord  fliined  upon 
us.     **  How  is  the  gold  become  dim,  how  is  the  most 

fine  gold  changed  r*  This  cry  was  reverfed,  fo  foon 
as  Heaven  fmiled.  **  We  are  as  men  that  dream.,.. 
This  surely  is  too  great  to  be  7^eal.     Our  mouths^  are 


GENERAL    HISTORY.  37 

filled  Ti'ith  laughter,  and  our  tongues  with  singing  J' 
On  the  pArt  of  the  many  who  were  convi6led  in  the 
congregations,  you  could  hear  earneft  cries  for  mer- 
cy, with  many  tears  and  lamentations.  From  lips, 
that  had  previoufly  been  employed  in  blafphemy,  you 
would  hear,  "  What  shall  we  do  to  he  saved.  God  he 
merciful  to  me  a  sinner."  In  a  time  of  revival,  there 
arc  but  few  who  go  to  meetings,  that  are  not  mor^ 
or  lefs  aftedted.  Some  indeed,  are  much  exafperated,^ 
and  call  it  hypocrify,  delufion,  enthuliafm,  &c.— 
Yet  even  of  thefe,  it  does  not  unfrequently  happen, 
that  fome  will  become  deeply  convicted,  and  finally, 
profefs  that  faith  which  they  once  defpifed.  The 
manner  of  conducting  the  general  revival,  was  fome-. 
what  extraordinary.  It  was  not  unufual,  to  have  a 
large  proportion  of  a  congregation,  proflrate  on  the 
floor  J  and,  in  fome  inftances,  they  have  loft  the  ufe 
of  their  limbs :  No  diftincfl:  articulation  could  be 
heard,  unlefs  from  thofe  immediately  by  :  Screams, 
cries,  groans,  fongs,  Ihouts,  and  hozannas,  notes  of 
grief  and  notes  of  joy,  all  heard  at  the  fame  time, 
made  a  heavenly  confufion,  a  fort  of  indefcribable 
concert.  Even  the  wicked  and  unenlightened,  were 
aftonifhed,  and  faid,  the  Lord  hath  done  great  things 
J  or  this  people.  At  aflbciations  and  great  meetings, 
where  there  were  feveral  minifters,  many  of  them 
would  exercife  their  gifts  at  the  fame  time,  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  congregation  ;  fome  in  exhortation  ; 
fome  in  praying  for  the  diftreffed ;  and  fome  in  argu- 
ment with  oppofers.  At  firft,  many  of  the  preachers 
did  not  approve  of  this  kind  of  work.  They  thought 
i^  extravagant.  Others  fanned  it,  as  fire  from  heaven. 
It  is  not  unworthy  of  notice,  that  in  thofe  congrega- 
tions, where  the  preachers  encouraged  thefe  exerci- 
fes  to  much  exterft,  the  work  was  more  extenfive, 
and  greater  numbers  were  added.  It  muft  alfo  be 
admitted,  that  in  many  of  thefe  congregations,  no 
little  confufion  and  diforder  arofe,  after  the  revival 
had  fubfided.     Some  have  accounted  for  this  by  an 


oS  GENERAL   HISTORY. 

old  niaxiin  :  IVhtrc  mudi  good  is  cUme,  much  evil  will 
aLo  be  done  :    IP  here  God  sows  many  good  seed,  the 
cticmij  uillsow  many  tares.     Be  it  as  it  may,   certain 
it  is,  that  many  minifters,  who  laboured  earneflly  to 
gtt  Chfiflians  into  their  chu/ches,    were  after  -ards 
.  much  perplexed,  to  get  out  hypocrites.     Perhaps  the 
bell  conclufion  is,  to  avoid  either  extreme.     A  iii^ 
formah'ty,  or  an  inordinate  confufion,  odght  each  to 
be  fhunned.     A  fcriptural  and  rational  animation  is 
from  God,  and  ought  to  be  indulged  and  encouraged. 
Yet  vigilance  ought  to  be  ufed,  to  keep  off  actual 
fanatifm,  as  being  the  effect  of  natural  and  unenlight- 
ened emotions* 

It  has  been  already  faid,  that  this  revival  commen- 
ced in  the  year  1785.  It  continued /preading,  until 
about  179 1,  or  1792.  Thoufands  were  converted 
and  baptized,  befides  many  who  joined  the  Metho- 
diils  and  Prefbyterians.  The  Proteftant  Epifcopali- 
ans,  altho'  much  dejedted,  by  the  lofs  of  the  eitab- 
liihment,  had  neverthelefs,  continued  their  public 
wcrihip,  and  were  attended  by  refped:able  conjLire- 
gations.  But  after  this  revival,  their  fociety  fell  faft 
into  diflblution.  This  revival  among  the  Baptifts, 
did  not  produce  as  many  young  preachers,  as  might 
have  been  expedled.  Mr.  Leland,  in  his  Virginia 
Chronicle,  from  which  many  of  the  foregoing  re- 
marks have  been  taken,  makes  the  following  obfer- 
vation : 

"  In  the  late  great  additions,  that  have  been  made 
to  the  churches,  there  are  but  few,  who  have  engaged 
in  the  work  of  the  ministry.  Whether  it  is  because 
the  old  preachers  stand  in  their  uay  ;  or,  whether  it 
is  because  the  people  do  not  pray  the  Lord  of  the  har^ 
test,  to  thrust  out  labourers  ;  or,  whethtr  it  is  not  ra^ 
ther  a  judgment  of  God  upon  the  peop'e,  jar  ueglcctr 
ing  those,  zoho  are  alreadii  in  the  work,  not  comniuni- 
cuting  to  them  in  all  good  things,  I  cannot  say," 

From  this  revival,  great  changes  took  place  among 
the  Baptifts,  feme  for  the  better,  and  others  for  the 


GENERAI.    HISTORY.  39 

worfe.  Their  preachers  were  become  much  more 
corred:  in  their  manner  of  preaching  :  A  great  many 
odd  tones,  difgufling  whoops  and  awkward  geftures, 
were  difafed  :  In  their  matter  alfo,  they  had  more  of 
found  (enfc  and  ilrong  reafoning.  Their  zeal  was 
lefs  mixed  with  enthuliafxH,  and  their  piety  became 
more  rational.  They  were  much  more  numerous, 
and  of  courfe,  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  more  refpec-  . 
table.  Befides,  they  were  joined  by  perfons  of 
-much  greater  weight,  in  civil  fociety :  Their  con- 
gregations became  more  numerous,  than  thofe  of  any 
other  '  hriflian  fe6l ;  and  in  lliort,  they  might  be 
conlidered,  from  this  period,  as  taking  the  lead  in  mat- 
ters of  religion,  in  mainy  places  of  theftate.  lliis 
could  not,  hut  influence  their  manners  and  fpirit,^ 
more  or  lefs.  Accordingly,  a  great  deal  of  that  iim- 
plicity  and  plainnefs,  that  rigid  fcrupulofity  about  lit- 
tle matters,  which  fo  happdy  tends  to  keep  iis  at  a 
diftance  from  greater  follies,  v/as  laid  alide.  Their  , 
mode  of  preaching,  alfo  was  fomewhat  changed.  At 
their  firft  entrance  into  the  ftate,  though  npt.incon- 
herent  in  their  method  and  language,  they  werejquit6 
Gorrecft  in  their  views  upon  all  fubjedis  of  primary 
importance.  No  preachers  ever  dealt  out  to  their 
hearers,  the  nature  of  experimental  religion,  more 
clearly  and  more  warmly.  As  their  refj^edtability 
increafed,  the  preachers  and  their  hearers  found  a 
relifh  for  flronger  meaty  which,  to  a  proper  extent, 
was  very  fuitable  :  but  it  too  often  happened  in  in- 
dulging this,  that  party  fpirit,  and  even  vanity,  had 
too  much  influence.  To  dive  deeply  into  the  myite- 
ries  of  the  gofpel  -,  to  tell,  or  to  make  a  plaiilible 
guefs,  about  what  happened  before  the  v^^orld  was 
made ^  or  what  will  happen  before  it  fliall  end;  looked 
more  wife,  and  excited  more  appiaufe,  than  to  travel 
on  in  the  old  track.  Some  of  the  preachers  like  wife, 
falling  unhappily  into  the  Arminian  fchcme,  ftirred 
up  no  fmall  difputation,  and  thereby  imperceptibly 
drove  their  opponents  to  the  borders,  if  not  v/ithin 


40  GENERAL   IIISTORA  . 

the  lines,  of  Antinomianifm.  Practical  piety  wa?, 
in  many  places,  too  little  urged.  Thefe  things  were 
followed  by  a  relaxation  in  difcipline,  in  many  of  the 
churches,  and  a  confequent  ftate  of  diforder.  It  mull 
not  be  underflood,  that  thefe  irregularities  went  to 
very  great  lengths,  or,  that  they  generally  prevailed  : 
This  was  by  no  means  the  cafe.  They  had  not  be- 
come as  the  church  at  Laodicca,  or  Sardis ;  but  rath- 
er as  the  church  at  Ephefus  ;  they  had,  in  a  degree, 
left  their  iirft  love.  Wherever  thefe  evils  prevailed, 
difagreeable  confequences,  fooner  or  later,  fprung 
from  them.  The  Baptift  name  fell  into  difrepute  ; 
their  principles  were  reprobated,  as  leading  to  licen- 
tioufnefs  j  their  meetings  were  deserted  by  the  peo- 
ple, who  thus  misled,  in  many  places,  turned  to 
other  focieties. 

It  is  a  fadl,  quite  obvious  to  every  religious  cha- 
racter, that  has  travelled  through  Virginia,  and  made 
obfervations,  that  there  arc  few  inftances  in  which 
the  Baptifts  have  not  flourilhed  to  a  coniidcrable  ex- 
tent, except  in  places  where  their  caufe  has  been  bad- 
ly fupported,  or  completely  betrayed,  by  the  difor- 
ders  of  profeflbrs. 

'  Since  the  great  revival  juft  defcribcd,  there  have 
been  feveral  partial  ones,  which  will  be  taken  notice 
of  in  their  proper  places. 


ijISTOUY  OF-  txifc  41 


dSSOClylTIONS. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Conlalning  a  History  of  the  General  Associaiion  of  the 
Separate  Baptists ,  from  their  first  session,  until  the 
division  in  1783. 

An"  Association  is  a  coimcii  or  afTembly,  corri- 
pofcd  of  delegates  or  reprefentatives,  from  each  church, 
within  the  bounds  delignated  for  that  purpofe.  The 
obje(5t  of  which,  is  to  take  into  conlideration  the  wel- 
fare of  the  churches,  and  to  affiil  them  by  their  coun- 
fel,  in  the  prefervation  of  order-and  difcipUne  among 
themfelves.  Each  church  fends  by  their  delegates,  a 
letter  diretSted  to  the  allbciation.  Thefe  letters  inform 
the  aflbciation,  whom  they  have  deputed  as  delegates  ^ 
what  is  the  ftate  and  ftanding  of  the  church ;  their 
number  >  deaths  ;  removals  ;  additions  and  excluiions, 
&c.*  The  Baptii^  churches  are  independent,  and 
confequently  the  bufmefs  of  an  aiibciation,  is  not  au- 
thoritative. They  may  advile,  and  indeed  urge  their 
advice,  but  cannot  compel. 

The  bulinefs  of  affociations  is  commonly  drawn  from 
the  letters,  being  inferted  by  the  churches,  by  way  of 
query.  This,  however,  is  not  the  only  mode  of  in- 
troducing it.  The  debates  are  generally  fhort,  and  the 
whole  bufmefs  is  commonly  completed  in  two  days. 
In  Virginia,  moft,  if  not  all  the  afiociations,  include 
Sunday,  as  one  of  the  days  for  their  being  together. 
Nothing  is  attended  to  on  this  day,  except  preaching, 

*  In  s.  time  of  revival,  it  is  quite  animating  toiiear  the  letters  read. 

F 


42  GENERAL    ASSOCIATION. 

and  the  different  parts  of  public  worfhip :  Vaft  crowdsy 
in  moll:  places,  attend  airociations,  for  the  purpofe  of 
hearing  the  preaching  :  For,  in  addition  to  the  minif- 
trations  of  Sunday,  the  congregations  who  allemble  on 
the  other  days,  are  entertained  at  fome  convenient  place, 
by  preachers,  fent  out  by  the  allbciation  for  that  pur- 
pofe: Therefore,  beiides  the  good  derived  from  the 
immediate  bulinefs  of  an  affociation,  the  indired  advan- 
tages are  very  great.  From  a  conviction  of  this  truth, 
the  Dover  Association j  in  one  of  her  circular  letters, 
nferts  the  follov^^ing  remarks.*  *'  The  indirect  ad- 
vantages of  affociations,  can  only  be  known  by  ex- 
perience. Thofe  who  have  been  accuftomed  to  at- 
tend them,  have  feen  and  felt  the  blelTings  convey- 
ed through  them.  We  conceive  it  is  no  inconii- 
derable  advantage,  that  an  opportunity  fhould  be  of- 
fered for  brethren  to  fee  each  other.  As  iron  shar- 
peneth  iron  ;  so  a  man  sliarpeneth  the  countenance 
of  his  friend,  A  fecond  advantage  is,  that  they 
communicate  to  each  other,  the  tranfadtions  of  the 
different  parts  of  the  country  from  whence  they 
came.  They  tell  how  richly  the  grace  of  God  is 
communicated  ;  how  profufely  his  bleffings  are 
poured  out,  and  how  wifely  ordered  are  all  his  pro- 
vidences. As  cold  water  to  a  ihirstij  soul,  so  is  good 
7iczm  from  a  far  country*  Thirdly,  they  may  be 
beneficial  to  the  church  and  neighbourhood,  in  and 
about  which,  they  may  be  holden :  feeing  they  have 
it  in  their  power,  to  hear  thofe  gifts  and  talents  dif- 
played,  that  are  bcfl  calculated  to  inflru6t,  and  moll 
likely  to  profit.  Fourthly,  advantages  may  arife, 
to  almoll  every  part  of  the  diftrid:,  by  the  vifits  of 
the  minifters,  as  they  pafs  to  and  from  the  affoci- 
ition." 

There  are  fifteen  affociations  wholly  within  the  ffate 
of  Virginia  ;  befides  four  others,  of  which  a  part  on- 
ly are  within  this  ftate,  the  other  part  being  in  fome 
adjacent  ftatc.     Of  the  fifteen,  fix  lie  North  of  James 

*  The  c'i:v.Iar  ietfer  fcr  1794. 


HISTORY    OF    THE  4,3 

River,  viz.   Ketodon,  Culpeper,  Albemarle,  Gofben, 
©over  and  Accomack;  fix    South  of   James   River, 
Portfmouth,  Middle Diftrid:,  Mehcrrin,  Appomattox, 
Roanoke  and  Straw^berry ;  and  three  Weft  of  the  Al- 
leghany  mountains;    New- River,    Greenbrier,   and 
Union.     Thofc  four,  a  part  of  which  only  lie  in  Vir- 
ginia,   are  Mayo,  on  the  borders  of  Virginia  and  N. 
Carolina;  Mountain,  on  the  borders  of  Virginia,  N. 
Carolina  and  Tenneffee;   Holfton,   on  the  border?  of 
Virginia  and  Tenneffee ;  and   Redftone,   on  the  borr 
ders  of  Virginia,  Pennfylvania  and  Ohio.     A  particu- 
lar account  of  each  of   thefe,  will  be   given  in  their 
proper  order.     In  the  meantime,  we  muft  begin  with 
the  Original  Separate  Baptift  Affociation. 

Having  related  how,  through  their  evangelical  la- 
bours, the  Separates  had  diffeminated  the  principles 
of  the  Baptifts,  or  rather  the  do6lrines  of  the  New 
Teftament,  through  various  parts  of  the  ftate  of  Vir- 
ginia and  North- Carolina  ;  we  (hall  now  enquire,  af- 
ter what  manner,  they  were  employed  in  their  delibe- 
rative affemblies.  We  have  already  noticed  (page  6th), 
that  through  the  counfel  of  Mr.  Stearns,  an  affociati- 
on was  formed  and  organized  January  1760,*  and  who 
met  again  in  July  of  the  fame  year.  Including  both 
thefe  meetings ;  the  lift  of  their  churches  ftood  thus  • 

Sandy  Creek.     Elder  Shabal  Stearns. 

Deep  River.     Nathaniel  Powel  (a  brother). 

Abbot's  Creek.     Elder  Daniel  Marshall. 

LiUle  River.    Joseph  Breed  (a  brother). 

Neiis  River.     Ezekiel  Hunter. 

Black  River.     John  Newton. 

Dan  River,  ?  ui  1      c  i  tt 

p.v/o,.7^.«  .„  nu     rr .  ^  Elder  Samuel  HarriiiS. 
Jrittsylvama  C  ty.  Va.  S 

Lunenburg  C'ty.  Va.     William  Murphy. 

*  The  account  of  this  Aflbciation  is  taken  from  Bacchv.s's  History  ci  ilr; 
B^ptilts  wf  Neyv-England,  vol.  3d.  p.Tge  274,. 


4|.  GENERAL    ASSOGIATIfcN. 

W'e  are  nbt  to  look  for  regularity  and  method,  among 
ii  people,  whole  only  ftudy,  was  the  profperity  of  vi- 
tal godlinefs.  No  church  had  been  regularly  coniiitu- 
ted  in  Virginia,  at  the  time  of  eitiier  of  thefc  affoci- 
ations .  It  would  feem,  however,  that  thole  two  men- 
tioned in  the  lift,  were  fuiticiently  numerous  to  cxer- 
cife  the  privileges  of  a  church,  and  were  therefore  iid-. 
mitted  into  the  aflbciaticn .  The  chief  bu  fmcfs  of  thefe 
aflbciations,  was  to  receive  petitions  and  to  appoint 
preachers  to  travel  into  new  places,  where  the  gofpel 
was  likely  to  iiourilli.  "  VVe  continued  together 
(fays  the  manufcript  of  James  Read,  who  was  prefent), 
**  three  or  four  days.  Great  crowds  of  people  attea- 
"  ded,  moftly  through  curiofity  :  The  great  power 
''  of  God  was  among  us  :  The  preaching  every  day, 
*'  feemed  to  be  attended  Vv'ith  God's  bicffing :  We 
*'  carried  on  our  alTociation,  with  fweet  decorum  and 
**  feilowfhip  to  the  end  :  Then  we  took  leave  of  one 
*'  another,  with  many  folemn  charges  from  our  Rev- 
"  erend  old  father  Shubal  Stearns,  to  ftand  fafl  unto 
"  the  end."* 

At  their  next  aflbciation,  multitudes  both  of  friends 
and  ftrangers  came ;  many  from  a  great  diilance.  The 
Rev.  John  Gano,  from  JN.  England,  was  there.  He 
was  fent,  it  feems,  by  his  alTociation,  to  enquire  into 
the  ftate  of  thefc  JSIeK-light  B(7ptists,  He  was  receiv- 
ed by  Stearns,  with  great  aftedrion.  But  the  young 
and  illiterate  preachers  were  afraid  of  him  and  kept  at 
a  diftance.  They  even  refufcd  to  invite  him  into  their 
alTociation.  All  this  he  bore  patiently,  fitting  by, 
while  they  tranfaded  the  bufinefs.  He  preached  alio 
every  day.  H  is  preaching  was  in  the  fpirit  of  the  gof- 
pel. Their  hearts  were  opened,  fo  that  before  he  left 
them,  they  were  greatly  attached  to  him.  So  fwperi- 
our  were  Mr.  Gano's  talents  for  preaching,  that  fome 
of  the  young  and  unlearned  preachers  faid,  they  felt 
as  if  they  never  could  undertake  to  preach  again.— 

•  These  remarks  apply  to  the  July  aflbciation  j  it  is  probable  that  of  J:- 
nuary  was  only  a  ftnall  mjeting,  and  adjoOmed  pjon  after  they  met. 


Tliis  aflbciatton  was  alfo  conduced  in  love,  peace  aiid 
harmony.  When  Mr.  Gano  returned  to  his  own 
country,  being  arked,  what  he  thought  of  theie  Bap- 
tifts,  rephed,  that  ''doubtless  the  pore  cr  of  God  tzhis 
among  than.  That  aUho'  they  z^tre  rather  immctho- 
dimi,  they  cert ahihj  had  the  root  of  the  matter  at 
heart." 

At  their  third  alTociation,  it  feems  they  were  grati- 
fied with  the  moft  pleafing  accounts  of  the  great  fpread 
of.  the  gofpel.  Very  many  requel]:s  were  aUo  lent, 
from  various  quarters,  for  preachers  to  be  lent  them. 
They  had  a  v-ery  happy  aflbciation. 

The  aiibciations  continued  thus  happy  and  thus  ii^- 
creaiing  :  infomuch,  that  at  their  fifth  or  fixth  fefiion, 
it  appears  they  received  delegates  from  fome  churches 
as  high  up  as  the  mountains,  and  from  thence  to  the 
ocean.  In  1767,  fonie  o-i-V the  Spottfylvania  preach- 
ers attended  the  affociation,  and  obtained  the  attend- 
ance of  a  prefbytery,  to  conflitute  their  ijrfl:  church.. 
The  feffions  were  all  held  in  the  vicinity  of  Stearns, 
and  the  older  preachers.  The  younger  ones,  from  Vir- 
ginia and  both  the  Carolinas,  attended  conilantiy,  and 
derived  much  knowledge  and  confolation  from  the  ccn- 
verfation  of  the  more  experienced.  From  fuch  ac- 
counts as  can  be  had,  it  appears  that  all  thefe  aiibci- 
ations were  conduced  with  peace  and-  harmony,  and 
were  produdive  of  extenfive  ufefuinefs. 

After  the  difa^reement  between  the  Eesyulars  and 
Separate^;,  which  took  place  jn  Spottfyivania,  attempts 
were  made,  on  both  fides,  to  efled  a  reconciliation. 
Among  the  Separates,  the  objed-ions  raifed  by  a  few 
popular  charatSers,  prevailed.  They,  it  feems,  thought 
the  Regulars  were  not  fufficiently  particular,  in  fmall 
matters,  fuch  as  drefs,  &c.  They  alfo  exprefied  fears, 
that  the  confefiion  of  faith  adopted  by  the  Regulars, 
might  in  time,  bind  them  too  much  ;  as  there  were 
fome  objedionable  parts.  A  majority  of  the  Regu- 
lars were  favourable  to  an  unipn,     Some,   however. 


46  GENEaiL    ASSOeCIAflON. 

wiflied  that  the  confcffion  of  faith,  fhould  be' adopt- 
ed ^  y  the  Separates,  by  way  of  condition. 

In  1769,  an  affociation  was  holden  by  the  Separates, 
in  N.  Carohna,  to  which  the  Ketodton  or  Regular 
Baptift  AfIbciation,fent  as  meflengers,  the  Rev.  Melirs. 
Garret,  Major  and  Siunders,  with  a  letter,  of  whicl^ 
the  following  is  an  cxtrad:. 

*'  Beloved  in  otP'  Lord  Jesus  Christ j 

*'  The  bearers  of  this  letter  can  acquaint  you  with 
the  defign  of  writing  it.  Their  errand  is  peace,  and 
their  bulinefs  is  a  reconciliation  between  us,  if  there 
is  any  difference  fubfifting.  If  we  are  all  Chriftians, 
all  Baptifts,  all  New-lights,  why  are  we  divided. — - 
Muft  the  little  appellative  names.  Regular  and  Sepa- 
rate, break  the  golden  band  of  charity,  and  fet  the 
fons  and  daughters  of  Zion  at  variance.  **  Behold 
how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  jor  brethren  to  dwell 
together  in  unity f'*  but  how  bad  and  how  bitter  it  is, 
for  them  to  live  afunder  in  difcord. — To  indulge  our- 
felves  in  prejudice,  is  furely  a  disorder  ;  and  to  quar- 
rel ibout  nothing,  is  irregularity  with  a  witnefs.  O  ! 
our  dear  brethren,  endeavour  to  prevent  this  calamity 
for  the  future." 

This  excellent  letter  was  prefented  to  the  afTociation, 
and  after  a  lengthy  debate,  the  propofal  for  an  union, 
was  rejeded  by  a  fmall  majority. 

The  Separate  Baptift  Aflbciation  met  again  in  1770, 
at  Graffey  Creek  Meeting  Houfe,  N.  Carolina.  The 
churches  had  now  become  numerous,  there  being  a 
confiderable  number  in  each  of  the  three  flates.  It 
had  been  ufual  with  them,  to  do  nothing  in  aflbciati- 
ons  but  by  unanimity,  ii  in  any  meafure  propofed, 
there  was  a  fingle  diflentient ;  they  laboured  firft  by  ar- 
gum.ents  to  come  to  unanimous  agreement^  when  ar- 
guments failed,  they  reforted  to  frequent  prayer,  in 
which  all  joined .     When  both  thefe  failed,  they  fome- 


ttl STORY    OF    TftE  47 

times  appointed  the  next  day  for  fading  and  prayer, 
and  to  ftrive  to  bring  all,  to  be  of  one  mind.  At  this 
fefHon,  they  fplit  in  their  firil  baiinefs:  Nothing 
could  be  done  on  the  firft  day.  They  appointed  the 
next  for  failing  and  prayer.  They  met  and  laboured 
the  whole  day,  until  an  hour  by  sun  in  the  aftt^rnoon, 
and  could  do  nothing,  not  even  appoint  a  Vlodera- 
tor.  The  third  day  was  appointed  for  the  fame  pur- 
pofe,  and  to  be  obferved  in  the  fame  way.  They 
met  early,  and  continued  together  until  three  o' ..loclc 
in  the  afternoon,  without  having  accomplifhed  any 
thing.  A  propofal  was  then  made,  that  the  association 
should  be  divided  into  three  districts,  that  is,  one 
in  each  state.  To  this  there  was  an  unanimous  con- 
fent  at  once. 

Whereupon,  they  appointed  the  iirst  session  for 
the  Association  in  Virgmia,  to  be  holden  at  Thom- 
fon's  Meeting  Houfe,  in  Louifa  county,  the  last  Sa- 
turday in  September  1 77 1 . 

For  North  Carolina,  at  Haw  River  Meeting- 
Houfe  ;  and 

For  South-Carolina,  at  Selcuda.  1 

The  association  then  dismissed,  without  tran fad- 
ing any  other  bufmefs.*  It  was,  however,  privately 
agreed  upon  among  the  Virginia  delegates,  to  hold  an 
occafional  feffion,  at  E.  Craig's  Meeting  Houfe,  in 
Orange  county,  the  fecond  Saturday  in  May  1771. 
This  was  defigned  more  particularly  for  the  purpofe 
of  forming  regulations,  &c. 

They  did  accordingly  meet  in  May,  and  as  this  was 
tlie  first  session  of  the  Virginia  Separate  Baptist  As- 

*  The  above  relation  is  taken  from  a  manuscript  of  FJiiah  Craig, 
who  was  prefent. 


48  GEN'ERAL    ASSOCIA'nOX. 

S 


ociation;  it  will  not  be  unacceptable  to  our  readers, 
roimert  the  proceedings  in  full. 


niSTORY    OF    THE 


49 


MINUTES  OF  THE  FIRST  SEPARATE  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

4l  an  Occasional  Association,  held  at  Craig's  Meetihg  Home  in  Oi-ana-e  County,  se- 

ond  Saturday/  in  May,  1711.  * 

By  a  private  poll,  Samuel  Harkiss  was  chosen  Moderator,    and  JoHir  Wal- 
ler, jun.    Clerk.  \ 
The  letters  from  the  several  Churches  were  read.     The  state  of  each  was  as  follows  • 


\ames  of  Churches. 


Names  of  Dekgates. 


9- 

a'^ 

C6 

^? 

? 

b 

Sa 

s^ 

a 

Sl, 

<l! 

4? 

3 

Si. 

1^ 

-1 

nS 

2^- 

a. 

5 

a- 

?^ 

J: 

-;  o 

» 

R 

Co 

S  o 

Sj- 

5' 

» 

a 

1% 

a 

r» 

Falls  creek  church, 
Pittsylvania. 

Bedford  do.  a  new 
church. 

Amherst  do.  anew 
chuich. 

Buckingham  do. 
Amelia  do. 

Louisa  do. 

Lower  Church  in 

Spottsylvania, 

Middle  do,  in  do 


Samuel  Harriss,  Jacob 
Mete  iff. 


Upper  do.   in  O- 
range. 

Culpeper  do. 

Carter's   Run  do. 
in  Faaquier. 

Shenandoah,  do.  in 
Frederick. 


Black    Water  do. 
in  Bedford. 

Dan  River   do.  in 

Pittsylvania. 

I^otal,  i 


William  Lovell. 

Thomas  Hargitt  and 
James  Meneese. 

Rane  Chastain,  jr.  and 
Wm.  Johnston. 

Jeremiah  Walker,    Da- 
vid  Ellington    and 
John  Williams. 

James   Childs,  David 
Thompson   and  An- 
drew Trebble. 

John  Waller,  John  Bur- 
rus,  Reuben  Ford  and 
Wm.  Webber. 

Lewis  Craig,  Jos.  Bled- 
soe, William  Card  and 
John  Craig. 

Elijah  Craig,  George 
Twiman,  Bartlec  Ben 
net  and  George  Eves. 

John  Monrow  and  Th  : 
Peyton. 

Jofeph  Hotsclaw  and 
James  Wethers. 

William  Marshall  and 
Reuben  Pickett. 


32 


Neither  delegate  nor  let- 
ter. 

Neither  letter  nor  dele- 
gate. 


16 
66 

17 

103 

31 


j20 


10 


19 


10 


57 


23      20 


66 


62 

39 

26 

53 
260 

100 


105 
120 

21 
148 

159 


13^:5 


Adjourned  'till  Monday  morning  eight  o'clock. 
G 


50  General  association-, 

Maij  13///,  1771,  Mondaii  morning, — Met  together  all 
except  our  brethren  David  Ellington,  James  Childs  and 
Thomas  Peyton,  who  difappeared.  AVe  all  agreed  to 
proceed  to  bujQnefs,  as  follows. 

Ifl.  ]t  is  unanimoufly  agreed  that  the  alTociatlon  has 
no  power  or  authority,  to  impofe  any  thing  upon  the 
churches  ;  but  that  we  ad:  as  an  advifory  council. 

2d.  We  believe  we  have  a  right  to  withdraw  ourlelves 
from  any  church,  that  may  negledt  to  correfpond  with  us, 
and  juftify  their  condu«ft. 

3d.  With  regard  to  the  conftitution  of  churches. — Any 
number  of  members,  that  live  at  a  diilance  too  far  to  af- 
femble  with  eafe,  v/ith  the  body  of  the  church,  at  theii*' 
monthly  meeting,  having  firfl  obtained  leave  from  their 
church,  have  a  right  to  petition  any  ordained  miniller  of 
the  fame  faith  and  order,  with  what  helps  he  choofes,  be- 
ing approved  of  by  the  members,  to  look  into  their  la- 
bility, and  if  found  ripe,  to  conllitute  them  a  church  ; 
the  faid  churches,  defcribing  their  boundary  and  allow- 
ing the  privilege  to  any  member  that  lives  near  to  the 
faid  limits,  to  join  which  of  the  churches  he  pleafes. 

4th.  With  regard  to  ordination,  &c. — Every  ordained 
miniftcr  of  the  fame  faith,  &c.  being  legally  called  upon 
by  any  fuch  church,  may  adminifter  the  facraments  among 
tnem,  and  with  the  help  of  their  church  ordain  their  el- 
ders or  deacons,  if  found  qualified,  and  in  cafe  they  have 
made  choice  of  a  minifter  whom  they  delire  to  be  exam- 
ined and  ordained,  they  may  petition  neighboring  minif- 
ters  to  proceed  in  the  faid  work,  and  on  fpecial  occafions, 
any  of  them  failing  to  come,  one  ordained  minifter  with 
an  ordained  elder  or  elders,  may  proceed  in  the  ordination. 

5th.  We  advife  any  church,  in  diftradion  or  diftrefs, 
to  fend  for  helps  from  one  or  more  fifter  churches,  to  af- 
fift  them  in  fuch  a  cafe. 

6th.  It  is  agreed,  that  if  imy  delegate,  fent  from  any 
church,  fhould  tranfgrefs  in  any  inftance,  unknown  to  his 
churrh,  the  offended  party,  his  fellow  delegate  and  the 
moderator,  may  bar  him  from  fitting. 

7th.  A 11  matters  brought  before  the  afTociation  for  their 
advice,  to  be  determined  by  a  majority  of  voices,  except 


lilSTORY   OF    THE  51 

what  trcjira  the  clearnefs  of  fc^pture  light,  forces  con- 
vidlion  on  all ;  then,  there  is  no  neceSity  for  putting 
it  to  the  decilion  of  votes. 

8th.  It  is  agreed,  that  an  itinerant  minifter  may  be 
ordained  without  applying  to  the  aflbciation,  by  a 
prefbytery  of  minifters,  (and  we  adyife  that  as  many 
as  conveniently  can,  maybe  called  for  that  purpofe,) 
upon  their  examination  and  a  recommendation  of  hie 
doctrine  and  manner  of  life,  from  the  church  he  is  A 
member  of. 

9th.  It  is  agreed  that  a  circular  letter  be  fent  by 
the  affociation  to  each  church,  informing  them  fome- 
t.hing  of  the  heads  of  their  bufinefs,  &c. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  7  o'clock. 

Tuesday  Morning. -^CamQ  together,  and  proceeded 
as  follows :  The  delegates  names  being  called  over, 
our  brethren  David  Ellington,  David  Thompfon,  An- 
drew Trebble  and  Bartlet  Bennet,   failed  to  appear* 

Present — David  Thompfon  and  Andrew  Trebble, 

It  is  agreed  that  every  church,  with  refpedl  to  cov^ 
enanting,  is  left  to  ufe  their  own  liberty. 

We  advife  every  church  to  infert  all  their  queries, 
in  their  letters  to  the  aflbciation.  Prefent — B^^other 
Martlet  Bennet, 

The  church  of  Shenandoah  and  Fauquier,  having  rsr 
quefted  help  with  refpedt  to  the  ordination  of  elders, 
baptizing,  &c.  brother  Samuel  Harris  agrees  (Go4 
willing,)  to  go  and  anfwer  the  faid  requeft. 

A  Qiiere  from  the  Church  in  Orange,  viz:.  Whether 
we  have  a  right  to  difmifs  a  member  from  under  the 
care  of  our  order  ^ 

An  sneered  in  the  negative.* 

A  Qwe/^efrom  Amelia  Church,  viz.  Whether  church 
dealing  ought  not  to  be  tranfadted  pri^vately,  the  mem- 
bers only  being  prefent  ? 

Answered  in  the  negative.  i 

*  This  means  a  dismissal  from  the   Baptift  Society  altogether,  anl   not   a 
•difmiflT^l  from  one  Bq^ptjft  Church  to  join  another. 


53  GENERAL   ASSOCIATION. 

A  Quere  from  do.  viz.  What  are  the  terms  of  coiti- 
munion^  iixt  in  the  word  of  God  ? 

Answered. — FellowHiip  in  the  fame  faith  and  order. 

A  Quere  from  do.  Whether  any  member,  who  Ihall 
refufe  to  acknowledge  himfelf  obUged  by  the  fcripture, 
toobferve  the  Sabbath,  fhould  not  be  avoided  as  here- 
tical, till  he  retradl  his  fentiments. 

Aimmred, — It  is  agreed  to  be  referred  to  the  next 
afTociation. 

A  Quere  from  Lower  Spottiylvania  Church,  viz. 
Whether  it  is  lawful  and  expedient,  for  our  minifters 
to  obtain  licence  from  the  civil  law,  for  only  one,  or 
more  meeting  places;  and  fo  be  reftricfled  from  that 
general  licence,  given  them  by  King  Jesus  Mark  1 6th, 
ch.  15th,  and  i6th  verse,  &c. 

Answered, — It  is  agreed  to  he  referred  to  the  next 
aflbciation. 

Adjournedtill  to-morrow  morning  7  o'clock. 

JVcdnesdar/  Morning. — Met  and  proceeded  as  fol- 
lows :  The  church  of  Chrift,  on  Black  Water,  in 
Bedford,  having  fent  neither  letter  nor  delegate  to 
this  afTociation  ;  at  the  requeft  of  the  afTociation, 
brother  Samuel  Harris  and  brother  Wm.  Lovell,  are 
agreed  to  vifit  them,  and  invite  them  to  appear  by 
their  delegates,  at  the  next  afTociation. 

The  church  of  Chrifl,  on  Dan  River,  in  Pittfylva- 
nia,  having  fent  neither  letter  nor  delegate  to  this  af- 
Tociation, and  hearing  that  the  faid  church  is  in  dif- 
trefs,  brother  Walker  and  brother  Burrufs  are  agreed, 
by  and  with  the  confent  of  the  afTociation,  to  ofier 
them  their  help  the  2d  Friday,  being  the  12th  of  Ju- 
ly 1 77 1  i  and  they  are  requefled  to  make  a  report  at 
die  next  afTociation. 

Our  brother  Harris,  who  was  one  of  our  delegates 
fe,nt  lafl  fall,  to  vifit  our  fifler  churches  in  the  South 
governments  in  diflrefs,  made  report,  full  to  our  fa- 
tisfad;ion. 

We  advife  that  a  committee  of  three  pcrfons,  be 


HISTORY    OF    THE  .^53 

appointed,  to  fettle  all  expences,  that  may  fall  upon 
the  afTociation. 

The  committee  being  fent  out,  returned  and  made 
their  report,  that  their,  was  a  balance  due  from  us, 
(Sec.  to  tht:  amount  of  4/.  15s.  which  was  received. 

The  aflbciation  letter  to  the  feveral  churches,  be- 
ing read,  was  approved  of. 

Brother  vSamuel  Harris,  was  chofen  as  our  dele- 
gate, to  hold  up  our  correfpondence  with  the  North 
and  South-Carolina  affociations. 

Then  Adjourned^  Hill  the  last  Saturday  in  Sepieniher, 
at  Thompson's  Meeting -House,  in  Louisa. 

SAMUEL  HARRIS,  Moderator. 
JOHN  WALLER,  jr.  Clerk. 

The  aflbciation,  of  which  the  above  are  the  mi- 
nutes, was  holden  nearly  forty  3'ears  pafl.  From  them 
may  be  gathered,  a  pretty  corredt  view  of  the  mode 
of  government,  ufed  by  the  Baptifts  of  that  day.  It 
will  be  feen  that  the  government  of  the  prefent  time, 
varies  from  it  very  little. 

It  is  worthy  of  note,  that  one  of  the  conftitution- 
al  articles,  disclaims  all  power  over  the  churches  : 
Yet  the  next,  declares  a  nght  in  the  aflbciation,  to 
to  withdraw  from  delinquent  churches  in  certain  ca- 
fes. Nothing  lefs  can  be  meant  by  this  article,  than 
that  the  aflbciation  in  behalf  of  all  orderly  churches,, 
in  her  correspondence,  would  difcountenance  all  dif- 
orderly  ones.  It  is  then  a  quefliion,  whether  a  church 
difcountenanced  by  the  aflbciation,  can  any  longer  be 
confldered  a  part  of  the  Baptifl:  Society.  Would  it 
not  be  deerned  diforderly,  for  any  other  church  to 
continue  their  fellowfliip  towards  one,  that  could  not 
meet  in  the  fame  affociation  ?  Churches  may  not  on- 
ly become  diforderly  in  prad:ife,  but  heterodox  in 
fentiment.  In  Virginia,  perhaps,  we  have  been 
more  fortunate ;  but  in  Kentucky,  and  in  England, 
the  majority  of  f  me  of  the  Baptifl:  churches,  have 
become  Arians  q.  S  c.nians.  I'o  give  an  aflbciation 
power  to  deal  wiih,    and  finally  to  put  fuch  out  of 


M  GSENERAL    ASSOCIATION. 

their  conne<fi:ion,  muft  be  proper,  and  indeed  mud 
be  what  is  defigned,  by  the  above  article.  By  no 
other  means  could  a  general  union  be  preferved.  By 
the  article  which  difclaims  all  power,  we  muil  un- 
derftand  all  power  over  the  internal  government  of 
the  churches.  It  is  alfo  worthy  of  note,  that  while 
one  of  the  articles  declares,  that,  churches  may  be 
conftituted,  and  preachers  ordained,  without  any  ap- 
plication to  the  aiTociation  ;  it  is  recorded  in  the  fame 
minutes,  that  at  the  requefl:  of  a  certain  church,  a 
minifter  is  appointed  by  the  ailbciation,  to  affifl:  in  the 
ordination  of  elders,  &c.  From  which,  it  would  feem, 
that  an  aiTociation  is  a  fuitable  medium,  through  which 
fuch  matters  can  be  advantageoully  arranged. 

The  next  alfociation,  alfembied  at  i  hompfon's 
Meeting  Houfe,  the  lail  Saturday  in  September,  ac- 
cording to  the  appointment  made  at  GraiTey  Creek, 
the  year  before. 

From  thence  they  adjourned  to  Lewis  Craig's  meet- 
ing houfe,  at  which  they  held  their  next  feffion,  the 
2d  Saturday  in  May  l772. 

Their  next  feffion  was  holden  at  Waller's  meeting 
houfe,  the  last  Saturday  in  September  1772. 

Of  the  proceedings  of  thefe  three  feffions,  we  can 
obtain  no  certain  account.* 

The  next  aflbciation  was  holden  at  Dover  meeting 
houfe,  in  Goochland  county,  commencing  May  8th, 
J773.  Samuel  Harris  was  appointed  Moderator,  and 
John  Waller,  jr.  Clerk.  Letters  and  delegates  from 
thirty-four  churches  were  received.  Thefe  church- 
es contained  3195  members,  of  which  526  had  been 
baptized  fubfequent  to  the  laft  affociation.  The 
largefl  church^a.s  Carter's  Run,  in  Fauquier,  under 
the  care  of  the  Rev.  John  Picket,  which  contained 
278  members.  The  largeft  number  baptized  in  any 
one  church  was  55,  in  Ready  Bottom.  Church  in  Ha- 
lifax, under  the  care  pf  Reuben  Picket.     There  were 

*  The  time  and  place  was  difcovered  frqm  the  letters  of  cprrespondenc'e 
{ot:nd  among  Mr^  John  William's  papers. 


ihsT'oRY  OF  rnE  55 

61  delegates,  including  among  them  aimoft  every  dil- 
tinguifhed  preacher  in  the  ftate. 

The  following  queries  and  Iblutions,  are  recorded 
in  the  minutes  of  this  affociation,  viz. 

111.  Is  the  laying  on  of  harwls  upon  baptized  mem- 
bers, merely  as  fiich,  a  gofpel  ordinance  or  not  ? 

Answer. — The  churches  are  left  at  their  liberty  to 
^ct  as  they  niay  think  befh. 

2d.  Ought  perlons  in  general,  who  are  polTeiTed 
of  minifterial  gifts,  to  be  ordained  merely  as  minif- 
ters,  or  ought  they  to  be  ordained  to  a  particular, 
charge  ? 

Answer* — A  majority  in  favour  of  the  latter. 

3d.  Is  it  lawful  to  receive  a  member  into  fellowlhip, 
v/ho  is  married  to  his  wife's  filler? 

Answer. — No. 

4th.  Is  it  agreeable  to  fcripture,  for  an  unmarried 
man  to  take  the  pafloral  care  of  a  church  ? 

Answer, — Yes. 

An  appointment  of  four  minifters  v/as  made  at  this 
feffion,  to  vilit  the  Kehukee  Regular  Aflbciation  and 
churches,  in  order  to  know  their  Handing,  and  make 
report.  Samuel  Harrifs,  E.  Craig,  John  Waller  and 
David  Thompfon,  were  appointed. 

A  motion  was  made  by  E.  Craig,  to  divide  the  af- 
fociation into  two  diftrids,  viz.  one  North  and  one 
South  of  James  River. 

The  motion  was  inferted  in  the  minutes,  and  refer- 
red to  the  next  affociation. 

They  held  their  next  feffion,  at  Meherrin  meeting 
houfe,  Lunenburg  county,  in  the  fall  of  the  fame  year, 
i.  e.  1773. 

Not  being  able  to  obtain  the  miau^q^  of  this  feffion, 
we  do  not  know  what  bulinefs  was  done,  except  that 
they  agreed  to  divide  the  affociation,  according  to  the 
plan  propofed  in  the  lail  affociation. 

The  Southern  diflrid  agreed  to  meet  at  Hall's  meet- 
ing houfc;  Halifax  county,  fecond  Saturday  in  May, 
1774.^:    The  Northern,   at   Picket's  meeting  houfe^ 


.3()  GENERAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Fauquier  county,  the  fourth  Saturday  in  May,   17  74, 
This,  it  will  be  found  in  the  fequel,    was    only  a 
temporary  divifion. 

The  Southern  diflrid:  met,  according  to  appoint- 
ment, at  Hall's  meeting  houfe.  Samuel  Harris  was 
chofen  Moderator,  and  John  Williams,  Clerk. 

Letters  and  delegates  from  27  churches  were  receiv- 
ed. It  appears,  that  the  churches  in  this  diftrict,  con- 
tained at  that  time  2033  members,  of  whom  259  had 
been  baptized  fmce  the  laft  alfociation.  The  moft 
numerous  church  was  Banifter,  under  the  care  of  Na- 
thaniel Hall,  containing  210  members.  Thegreateft 
number  baptized  in  any  one  church  was  42,  in  Me- 
herrin,  in  Lunenburg  county,  under  the  minillry  of 
John  Williams. 

For  three  or  four  years,  there  had  been  fevere  per- 
fecutions  againft  the  Baptifts,  in  many  parts  of  Vir- 
ginia. Letters  were  received  at  this  aflbciation,  from 
preachers  confined  in  prilon,  particularly  from  David 
Tinsley,  then  in  Chefteriield  jail.  The  hearts  of  their 
brethren  were  afted:ed  at  their  fufferings,  in  confe- 
quence  of  which,  it  was  agreed  to  raife  contributions 
for  their  aid. 

The  following  refolution  was  alfo  entered  into  : 

**  Agreed  to  set  apart  the  second  and  third  Saturn- 
day  in  June,  as  public  fast  days,  in  behalf  of  our  poor 
blind  persecutorSy  and  for  the  releasemcnt  of  our 
brethren," 

At  this  afTociation,  for  the  firft  time,  the  following 
query  was  introduced,  which  afterwards  produced  fom<^ 
weighty  confequences. 

Qffct'y- — Ought  all  the  minifterial  gifts  recorded  in 
the  4th  of  Ephefians,  llth,  12th  and  13th  verfes,  to 
be  in  ufe  in  the  prefent  time. 

Anszcer. — A  great  majority  fuppofe,  that  all  the 
miniflerial  gifts,  recorded  in  the  faid  fcripture  are,  and 
ought  to  be,  ftill  in  ufe  in  the  churches.  Although 
we  pay  a  due  regard  to  the  diftindion  between  ordi- 
nary and  extraordinary  gifts. 


GENERAL    ASSOCIATION.  57 

They  appbiated  their  next  session,  to  be  at  Wal- 
ker's meeting  house,  iii  Amelia  county,  tlie  second 
Saturday  in  Odober  1 774. 

')'he  Northern  Diftri6b  also  met  in  Fauquier,  ac* 
cording  to  their  appointment,  oh  the  fourth  Saturday 
in  May  1774.  .        . 

Samuel  Harris  and  Tohn  Williams  having  attended 
this  association,  as  corresponding  delegates,  from  the 
South  diflriclt ;  the  former  was  appointed  iVl  oderator, 
and  John  Waller,  Clerk. 

letters  were  received  from  twenty-four  churches, 
ilating  their  numbers  in  all  to  be  \9'^\,  of  whom  158 
had  been  baptized  since  the  last  association.  The  lar- 
gci\  church,  viz.  Lower  Spottsylvania,  nov/  called 
Waller's,  contained  188  members,  being  under  the 
charge  of  John  Waller.  Ihe  greatelt  number  bap- 
tized in  any  one  church  was  twenty-eight.  'I'his 
was  the  church  called  the  White-House,  probably 
under  the  minilliry  of   'ohn  Koontz. 

A  Querif — VVhether  the  dodrine  of  the  non-eternity 
of  hell-torments,  ought  to  be  deemed  heretical,  and 
what  fliould  be  done  with  a  member  who  held  it,  was 

Answered  : — That  the  do<'trine  was  heretical,  and 
all  persons  holding  it,  ought  to  be  purged  out  of  the 
churchef^. 

To  this  association,  was  also  sent,  the  query  men- 
tioned above,  viz.  'Vlietlinr  the  ininistenal  giis  mai- 
iioned  in  Ephe  ^th  chapter,  and  j  i,  12  ^  I'^th  ver- 
seSt  are  now  in  use.  After  two  days  debate,  a  majority 
decided  that  it  ought  to  be  put  off  until  the  next  asso-^ 
elation. 

The  quedion  respe6ting  a  confession  of  faith  wa$ 
agitated  at  this  session,  and  decided,  that  each  church 
might  exercise  her  own  discretion,  in  adopting  the  con- 
fession of  faith,  or  not.^ 

*  This  was  called  an  occaiional  alTociation,  for  although  they  held  an  aflbci- 
ation  almoft  every  Spring,  yet  it  was  a  (tanJing  rule  to  have  one  rdlioii  in  each 
jffia'r,  with  the  liberty  to  h.old  another occalionaliy,whencircujiiltance« required  it, 

11 


5S  IIISTOiY   or   THE 

The  Sautheni  diftridt  met  in  an  annual  association., 
according  to  appointment,  at  Walker's  meetinghouse, 
in  Amelia  county,  second  Saturday  in  Odober    774. 

Letters  from  thirty  churches  were  received,  stating 
their  number  in  all  to  be  2083,  of  whom  4l6  had 
been  baptized,  subsequent  to  the  spring  association. 
The  greateft  number  baptized  in  any  one  church  was 
72,  in  Bannifter  church,  Halifax  county,  under  the 
paftoral  care  of  Nathaniel  Hall ;  this  was  also  the  lar- 
gefl church,  containing  229 members.  Samuel  Harrifs 
was  appointed  Moderator,  and  John  Williams,  Clerk. 

A  letter  was  received  from  the  [Philadelphia  aflbci- 
ation,  with  a  copy  of  their  minutes.  Likewise,  the 
minutes  of  the  Charlefton  aflbciation  were  received, 
all  of  which  were  read. 

At  this  aflbciation,  the  query  respecting  the  proper 
interpretation  of  Eph.  4th,  and  11,  12,  13th,  was 
again  debated,  and  by  an  unanimous  vote,  three  ex- 
cepted, it  was  resolved,  that  the  said  offices  are  now 
in  use  in  Christ's  church,  and  the  said  three  submit- 
ted to  the  majority.  It  was  further  resolved,  that  the 
said  offices  be  immediately  eflabliffied,  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  certain  persons  to  fill  them,  provided  any,  pos- 
sessed of  such  gifts,  could  be  found  among  them. — 
They  then  proceeded  to  the  choice  of  an  apoille,  by 
private  poll,  and  the  lot  fell,  by  unanimous  consent, 
upon  elder  Samuel  Harriss.  For  the  discipline  of  this 
high  officer,  the  following  rule  is  entered  upon  the  mi- 
nutes, viz.  **  If  our  mesaenger,  or  apostle^  shall  trans- 
gi'ess  in  any  manner,  he  slmll  he  liable  to  dealing  in  any 
church  where  the  transgression  is  committed,  and  the 
said  church  is  instructed  to  call  helps  from  tuo  or  three 
neighhouring  churches,  and  if  by  them  found  a  trans- 
gressor, a  general  conference  of  the  churches  shall  he 
called,  to  restore,  or  excommunicate  him.*'  They  then 
proceeded  to  ordain  him,  according  to  the  following 
method : 

"  The  day  being  set  apart  as  a  fast  day,  we  immedi- 
"  ately  proceeded  to  ordain  him,  and  the  hands  of  eve» 


GENERAL    ASSOCIATION.  59 

"  ry  ordained  minister  was  laid  on  him.  Public  prayer 
'•  was  made  by  John  Waller,  E.  Craig,  and  John  WiJ^ 
''  liams.  John  Waller  gave  a  public  charge,  and  the 
"  whole  association  gave  him  the  right  haad  of  fellow- 
''  ship." 

His  work  was  to  pervade  the  churches  to  do,  or  at 
leaft  to  see,  to  the  work  of  ordination,  and  to  set  in  or- 
der things  that  were  wanting,  and  to  make  report  to 
the  next  afTociation. 

The  discussion  of  this  subjecSt,  caused  no  little  warmth 
on  both  sides.  J  eremiah  Walker  first  agitated  it,  and 
was  supported  by  moft  of  the  preachers  of  popular  ta^ 
lents,  not  without  suspicion  of  vanity  and  ambition. 
The  opposition  was  headed  by  Reuben  Ford,  followed 
by  a  numerous  party  in  the  \  orthern  diftrid:.  Walker 
wrote  a  piece  upon  the  subjecSl,  entitled  FieeT/ioughts, 
<f'C.  in  which,  as  also  in  his  arguments  both  in  aflbci- 
ations  and  private  companies,  he  very  ingeniouHy  main- 
tained, that  all  the  offices  mentioned  m  the  above  texiSy 
were  still  in  use,  Mr.  Ford  also  wrote  a  pamphlet  in 
answer  to  Mr.  Walker's,  in  which  he  rebutted  his  ar- 
guments with  considerable  ability.  Both  these  were 
read  before  the  aiTociation.  The  majority  favouring 
Mr.  Walker's  system  j  an  experiment  was  made. 

At  an  afTociation  hoidenfor  the  North  diftrict,  this 
fall,  John  Waller  and  E.  Craig,  were  appointed  apoit- 
les,  for  the  North  side  of  the  river. 

It  is  sufficient  to  inform  our  readers,  that  this  scheme 
dici  not  succeed.  Either  the  spirit  of  free  govern- 
ment ran  too  high  among  the  churches,  to  submit  to 
suich  an  officer ;  or  the  thing  was  wrong  in  itself  j 
and,  not  being  from  God,  soon  fell,  These  apoftles 
made  their  report  to  the  next  association,  rather  in 
discouraging  terms  -,  and  no  others  ever  were  appointed. 

The  judicious  reader,  will  quickly  discover,  that  this 
is  only  the  old  plan  of  bishops,  &c.  under  a  new  name. 
In  the  laft  decifion,  it  was  agreed  that  the  office  of 
apostles,  like  that  of  prophets,  was  the  effed:  of  mira- 
culous inspiration,  and  did  not  belong  to  ordinary  times. 


60  HISTORY   or    THE 

Both  thca/Tociationsof  this  fall,  appointed  their  next 
session  to  be  holden  at  I\i  anakin  town,  or  Dover  meet- 
ing house,  the  4th  Saturday  in  May  '775. 

Maif  27fh,  1775- — Both  alTociations  met  by  their 
delegates,  at  Dover  meeting  house.  :  etters  from  fix- 
ty  churches  were  received,  viz.  '29  from  the  North, 
and  31  from  the  South  fide  of  .James  liiver. 

hamuel  tlarrifs  was  chosen  Moderator,  and  John 
Waller  and.lohn  Williams,  (  lerks.  Only  about  SCO, 
for  both  diflrids,  are  numbered,  as  having  been  bap- 
tized fmce  the  laft  aliociation  This  number,  com- 
pared with  what  had  been  for  years  previoully,  proves 
that  cold  times  were  now,  not  only  appearing,  but  ac- 
tually arrived.  The  events  which  occurred  at  this, 
and  the  succeeding  session,  prove  it  more  certainly. 

t  he  following  query,  iirft  occupied  their  attention. 

**  Is  salvation,  by  hrift,  m.ade  poflibie  ior  every  in- 
dividual of  the  human  race  ?" 

1  he  debate  on  this  query  took  up  the  whole  of  xMon- 
day.  I'  very  thinking  man  in  the  afibciation  felt  him- 
self seriously  interefted.  JVlost  of  them  spoke  to  it, 
more  or  less.  The  weight  of  talents  and  of  influence 
$eems  to  have  been  on  the  Arminian  side.  Samuel 
Harriss,  Jeremiah  Walker,  John  Waller,  and  many 
other  diflinguifhed  preachers,  ftood  forward,  and  zea- 
lously, as  well  as  ably,  supported  the  argument  in  fa- 
vour of  universal  provision. 

Talents  and  ingenuity  were  not  wanting  on  the  oth- 
er lide.  Wm.  INiurphy,  John  William?  andK.  C  raig, 
flood  foremoil  in  favour  of  a  Calvanistic  solution.... 
These,  supported  by  truth,  or  at  least  by  the  more  ge- 
nerally received  opinion,  among  the  Baptills,  obtain- 
ed, after  a  long  and  animated  debate,  a  small  majority. 
This  decilion  was,  on  Monday  afternoon,  immediate- 
ly before  an  adjournment.  That  evening,  the  A  rmi- 
nian  party  holding  a  consultation,  determined  to  bring 
en  the  subject  again  the  next  day,  and  to  have  a  de- 
termination, whether  their  opinions  upon  this  point, 
fhould  be  a  matter  of  bar  to  feliowfhip  and  commu- 


(GENERAL    ASS.OCIATION.  Oi 

riion.  On  Tuesday,  when  they  met,  the  bnfiness  be- 
came very  diflreiTmg.  The  /irminian  party,  having 
the  Moderator  with  them,  withdrew  out  of  doors. 
The  other  iide  also  withdrew,  and  chose  John  Wil- 
liams as  Moderator.  Every  thilig  was  then  done  by 
mellage,  sometimes  in  writing,  and  sometimes  ver- 
bally. 

After  some  time  spent  in  this  way,  the  following 
proposal  was  made  by  the  Arminian  party  : 

*'  Dear  Bretiiren", 
**  A  fleady  union  with  you,  makes  us  v/illing  to  be 
more  explicit,  in  our  answer  to  your  terms  of  reconci- 
liation proposed.  We  do  not  deny  the  former  part 
of  your  proposal,  respecting  particular  eledtion  of 
grace,  ilill  retaining  our  liberty,  with  regard  to  con- 
llrudion.  And  as  to  the  latter  part,  respecting  merit 
in  the  creature,  we  are  free  to  profess  there  is  none. 
**  Signed  hi/  Order y 

'' SAMUEL  HARBISS,  Moderator." 

To  which  the  other  party  replied,  as  follows  : 

"Dear  Brethren, 

"  Inasmuch  as  a  continuation  of  your  chriilian  fel- 
lov/iliip,  seems  nearly  as  dear  to  us  as  our  lives,  and 
seeing  our  difficulties  concerning  your  principles^  with 
respedt  to  merit  in  the  creature,  particular  eleaion, 
and  final  perseverance  of  the  Saints,  are  in  a  hopeful 
measure  removing,  we  do  willingly  retain  you  in  fel- 
lowlhip,  not  raising  the  leafh  bar.  iJut  do  heartily 
wifh  and  pray,  that  God  in  his  kind  providence,  in  his 
own  time,  will  bring  it  about,  whc?i  Israel  aliall  all  be 
of  one  mind,  sptalnng  the  name  things. 
**  Signed  hi/  Order, 

"  JOHN  fVILLLlMS,  Moderator." 

These  terms  being  acceded  to  on  both  fides,  they 
again  met  in  the  meeting  house,  and  resumed  their  bu- 
finess.  Their  union  was  as  happy,  as  tHeir  discord 
had  been  diftre fling. 


62  HISTORY    OF    THE 

It  was  determined  that  the  two  diftrids  iliould  again 
unite  at  their  next  session,  and  that  that  Ihould  be  at 
Dupuy'smeetingliouse,  Powhatan  (then  ( 'umberiand) 
county,  the  second  Saturday  in  Augull:  1775. 

It  seems,  that  one  great  objedl  of  uniting  tlie  two 
diflrids  at  this  time,  was  to  ftrive  together  for  the  abo- 
lition of  the  hierarchy,  or  church  eftabliihment,  in 
Virginia.  The  discontents  in  America,  arifing  from 
Britiih  oppression,  were  now  drawing  to  a  crifis  ;  moft 
of  the  colonies  had  determined  to  refill,  and  some  were 
for  independence.  1  his  was  a  very  favourable  season 
for  the  Baptifts.  Having  been  much  ground  under 
the  Britifli  laws,  or  at  least  by  the  interpretation  of 
them  in  \'irginia  ;  they  were  to  a  man,  favourable  to 
any  revolution,  by  which  they  could  obtain  freedom 
of  religion.  They  had  known  from  experience,  that 
mere  toleration  was  not  a  sufficient  check,  having  been 
imprisoned  at  a  time,  when  that  lav/  was  confidered  by 
many  as  being  in  force.  It  was  therefore  resolved 
at  this  session,  to  circulate  petitions  to  the  Virginia 
Convention  or  General  Afl'embly,  throughout  the 
ftate,  in  order  to  obtain  lignatures,  'i'he  prayer  of 
these  was,  that  the  church  eftablifhment  fliould  be  abo- 
lifhed,  and  religion  left  to  fland  upon  its  own  merits : 
And,  that  all  religious  focieties  fhould  be  protedted  in 
the  peaceable  enjoyment  of  their  own  religious  prin- 
ciples, and  modes  of  worfhip.  They  appointed  Je- 
remiah Walker,  John  Williams  and  (ieorge  Roberts, 
to  wait  on  the  legislature  with  these  petitions.  They 
also  determined  to  petition  the  alfembly,  for  leave  to 
preach  to  the  army,  which  was  granted. 

Jeremiah  Walker  and  John  Williams  being  appoint- 
ed by  this  allociation,  went  and  preached  to  the  soldi- 
ers, when  encamped  in  the  lower  parts  of  Virginia  ; 
they,  not  meeting  with  much  encouragement,  4eclined 
it,  after  a  fliort  time. 

They  appointed  the  next  aflbciatlon  to  be  holden  at 
Thompson's  meeting  house,  Louisa  county,  second 
Saturday  in  Auguft  1776. 


GENERAL    ASSOCIATION.  03 

They  met  accordingly,  and  letters  from  seventy- 
four  churches  were  received,  bringing  mournlul  ti- 
dings of  coldness  and  declension.  This  declenlion  is 
accounted  for  by  sonrie  of  the  letters,  as  arifmg  from 
too  much  concern  in  political  matters,  being  about  the 
commencement  of  the  revolution.  Others  ascribe  it 
to  their  dissenlions  about  principles,  &c.  Both,  doubt- 
less had  their  vv^eight.  After  they  met,  John  Vvaller 
was  appointed  to  preach,  and  took  his  text  I.  Cor, 
1 3  th  and  1 1  th.  lie  had  fully  embraced  the  whole  Ar- 
minian  system,  and  was  determined  to  preach  it  at  every 
risk.  Being  called  to  account  before  the  alTociation, 
he  and  all  his  adherents  v/ithdrew  from  the  Baptifts, 
and  immediately  fet  up  for  independence.  The  re- 
fult  may  be  feen  in  his  biography.  This  was  an  ex- 
ceedingly forrowful  time.  Waller  was  held  high  in 
eilimation  among  the  Baptiils.  Serious  confequen- 
ces  might  reafoiiably  be  exped:ed.  The  alfociation, 
however,  took  fuch  meafures  as  were  within  their 
power,  to  prevent  unpleafant  eftecfts. 

It  appears,  that  it  was  agreed  at  this  aiTociation,  to 
divide  into  four  diftrid;s  ;  probably  fuch  a  divifion  as 
afterwards  took  place  in  1783,  viz.  two  South,  and 
two  North  of  James  River.  But  as  this  divifion  was 
not  permanent,  we  fliall  purfue  the  narrative,  by  at- 
tending to  the  whole  under  one  view,  as  if  no  fuch 
divilion  had  taken  place. 

The  firft  feffion  for  that  diOrid:,  which  included  Ha- 
lifax, &c.  was  holden  at  Fall's  Creek  meeting  houfe, 
Halifax  county,  iirft  Saturday  in  November  1776. 

Their  next  feffion  was  at  Williams'  Sandy  Creek 
meeting  houfe,  the  laft  Saturday  in  April  1777.  Of 
thefe  feffions,  we  could  obtain  no  regular  account. 

By  fome  means  it  happened,  that  the  diil:rid:s  were 
again  united,  about  this  time.  Being  the  height  of 
the  war,  the  aflbciations  were  but  thinly  attended, 
and  little  bulinefs  done. 

Third  Saturday  in  May  1778,  a  general  aiTociation 
was  holden  at  Anderfon's  meeting  houfe,  in  Bucking- 


04  niSTORY    OF    THE 

ham  county.  Letters  from  thirty-two  churches  were 
received.  Wm.  Webber,  Moderator;  John  WilH- 
ams,  CJefk. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  enquire  whether  any 
grievances  exifted  in  the  civil  laws,  that  wei'e  oppref- 
live  to  the  Baptiils.  In  their  report,  they  reprefent 
the  marriage  law,  as  bein^;  partial  and  oppreflive. — 
Upon  which,  it  was  a;2;reed  to  prefent  to  the  next 
General  Ailemhiy,  a  memorial  praying  for  a  law  af- 
fording equal  privileges  to  all  ordamed  minilters  of 
every  denomination. 

They  appointed  their  next  afTociation  at  Dapuy's, 
meeting  houfe,  Powhatan  county,  fecond  Saturday  in 
Odiobcr  1778. 

They  met,  according  to  appointment,  and  chofe 
Samuel  Harrifs,  Moderator  ;  and  John  Wuiiams, 
Clerk.  Letters  from  thirty-two  churches  were  read. 
A  committee  of  {even  members  were  appointed  to 
take  into  conlideration  the  civil  grievances  of  the  Bap- 
tiits,  and  make  report. 

ist.  They  reported  on  Monday,  that  fliould  a  ge- 
neral afleffment  take  place,  that  it  would  be  injurious 
to  the  diifenters  in  general. 

2d.  That  the  clergy  of  the  former  eftablifhed  church, 
suppofe  themfelves  to  have  the  exclulive  right  of  oiii- 
ciating  in  marriages,  which  has  fubjecfted  diifenters 
to  great  inconveniences. 

3d.  They  therefore  recommend,  that  two  perfons 
be  appointed  to  wait  on  the  next  General  Allembly, 
and  lay  thefe  grievances  before  them. 

Jeremiah  V"alker  and  Elijiih  Craig,  (and  in  cafe  of 
the  failure  of  either,)  John  Williams,  were  appointed 
to  attend  the  General  Ailcmbly. 

Some  rules  for  the  government  of  alTociations, 
were  formed  at  this  feiiion. 

In  confequence  of  the  warm  diflentions  that  had 
taken  place'  at  fome  of  the  alTociations,  a  few  years 
before  this ;  combined  with  the  ravages  of  war ;  the 
afibciations  were  not  fo  fully  attended,    as  they  had 


GENERAI^   ASSOClATIpN.  0.5 

been.  From  60  and  70  churches  which  ufually  cor-. 
refponded,  they  had  fallen  to  abput  30  or  40.  It  feenjs 
that  fome  had  contraifted  unfavourable  opinions  of 
aflbciations,  and  wifhed  them  to  be  laid  alide.  This 
fubject,  being  agitated  at  this  feffion,  produced  ^e 
following  entry  : 

,  Resolved  f  That  a  society  of  churches  combined  to  seek 
the  mutual  good  of  the  whole  is  defirable  :  That  it  al- 
fo  promotes  acquaintance  among  brethren,  and  affords 
opportunity  to  coufult ,refpe6ting  the  beji  modes  ofcoun- 
ieraBing  national  grievances :  But  ajfociations  are  not 
to  interfere  with  the  internal  concerns  of  churches ,  e<z- 
cepi  where  their  advice  is  requejied  by  any  church,  in 
the  way  of  query. 

The  next  alTociation  appointed  the  fecond  Saturday 
in  May,  at  Dover  meeting  houfe. 

On  the  fecond  Saturday  in  May  1779,  the  aflbcia- 
tion  met  at  Dover  meeting  houfe,  Goochland  county, 
bf  which  feflion  we  have  no  account. 

On  the  fecond  Saturday  in  0(flober  1779,  the  aflb- 
ciation  met  at  Nottoway  meeting  houfe,  Amelia  coun- 
ty. Samuel  Harrifs,  Moderator.  Jeremiah  Walker^ 
Clerk. 

The  report  by  Jeremiah  Walker,  as  delegate  to  the 
General  AiTembly,  was  highly  gratifying,  upon  which 
the  following  entry  was  unanimoufly  agreed  to  be  made. 
,  **On  conlideration  of  the  bill  eftabliihing  religious 
freedoni,  agreed  :  That  the  faid  bill,  in  our  opinion, 
puts  religious  freedom  upon  its  proper  baiis  ;  pref- 
cribes  the  juft  limits  of  the  power  of  the  ftate,  with 
regard  to  religion*  and  properly  guards  againft  parti- 
ality towards  any  religious  denomination ;  we,  there- 
fore, heartily  approve  of  the  fame,  and  wifli  it  to  pafg 
into  a  law." 

Ordered,  That  this  our  approbation  of  the  faid  bill, 
be  tranfmitted  to  the  public  printers,  to  be  inferted 
in  the  Gazettes. 

It  feems  that  manjfcof  the  Baptill:  preachers,  prefu- 
ming  upon  a  future  fend  ion,   had  gone  on  to  marry 


06  IIISTOBY  or    THE 

fuch  people  as  applied  for  marriage.  It  Was  deter- 
mined that  a  memorial  fhould  be  fent  from  this  alfoci- 
ation,  requeuing  that  all  fuch  marriages  fhould  be 
fandtioned  by  a  law  for  that  purpofe.  The  law  paf- 
fed  accordingly. 

For  a  fet  of  preachers,  to  proceed  to  folemnize  the 
rites  of  matrimony,  without  any  law  to  authorife  them, 
might  at  firit  view  appear  incorredt,  and  indeed  cen- 
furable;  but  we  arc  informed,  that  they  wereadvifexi 
to  this  meafure,  by  Mr.  Patrick  Henry,  as  being  the 
inoll  certain  method  of  obtaining  the  law.  It  fucceed- 
ed.  It  is  however,  ftill  quellionable,  whether  this  was 
not  doing  evil,  that  good  might  come. 

The  next  afTociation  was  holden  at  Waller's  meeting 
houfe,  Spottfylvania  county,  the  fecond  Saturday  in 
May  1780.  No  account  could  be  obtained  of  the 
proceedings  of  this  feflion. 

The  next  was  appointed  to  be  at  Sandy  Creek  meet- 
ing houfe,  Charlotte  c'ty,  2d  Saturday  in  October  17(80. 

They  met  at  the  time  and  place  appointed.  Sa- 
muel Harrifs,  Moderator.  John  Williams,  Clerk. 
Letters  from  only  29  churches  were  received. 

From  the  minutes  it  appears  that  fome  jealoufy 
was  ftill  entertained,  refpedling  the  power  of  aflbci- 
ations.  In  confequence  of  which,  an  entry  is  made 
difa vowing  any  authority  over  the  churches. 

A  letter  was  received  from  a  committee  of  the  Re- 
gular Baptifts,  requefting  that  a  iimilar  committee 
?hould  be  appointed  by  this  afTociation,  to  confider 
national  grievances,  in  conjan(5tion-  This  was  done 
accordingly,  and  Reuben  Ford,  John  A'Villiams  and 
E.  Craig,  were  appointed. 

The  third  Thursday  in  November  following,  was 
appointed  a  day  of  fading  and  prayer,  in  confequence 
of  the  alarming  and  diftreffing  times. 

The  next  alfociation  appointed  at  Anderfon's  meet- 
ing houfe,  Buckingham  county,  fecond  Saturday  in 
jMay  1781.  " 

They  met,  according  to  appointment.     About  thi? 


GENERAL    ASSQCCIA:|;I0>/.  C? 

tinie  the  Eritifli,  under  LordCornwallis,  were  march- 
ing through  Virginia  from  the  South  ^  and  was  now 
at  no  great  diftance  from  the  place  of  the  aflbciation. 
On  this  account  there  were  but  l6  churches  corref- 
ponded.  They  chofe  Wm.  Webber,  Moderator  ; 
and  J.  Williams,  Clerk.  After  making  fome  few 
arrangements,  and  appointing  the  next  aflbciation  at 
Dover  meeting  houfe,  Goochland  county,  the  2d  Sa- 
turday in  October  1782,  they  adjourned. 

They  met  at  Dover  meeting  houfe,  agreeable  to 
appointment.  Letters  from  32  correfponding  churr 
ches  were  read.  Wm.  Webber,  Moderator.  John 
Williams,  Clerk. 

Jeremiah  Walker  was  appointed  a  delegate  to  at- 
tend the  next  General  Ailembly,  with  a  memorial  and 
petitions  againil  ecclefiaftical  oppreflion. 

Robert  Stockton  attended  this  affociation,  as  a  dp- 
Fegatefrom  the  Strav/berry  affociation. 

The  large  number  of  churches,  and  the  great  dif- 
tance  which  many  of  their  delegates  had  to  travel, 
rendered  a  general  affociation  in  V^irginia  extremely 
inconvenient ;  fo  that  they  would,  probably  long  be- 
fore this  date,  have  divided  into  difl:ri(5ls,  if  they  had 
not  been  holden  together  by  apprehenfions  of  oppref- 
lion from  civil  government. 

They  could  not  make  head  againft  their  powerful 
and  numerous  opponents^  with  any  hope  of  fuccefs, 
unlefs  they  were  united  among  themfelvcs.  In  order 
to  be  all  of  one  mind,  it  was  neceffary  they  fhould  all 
affemble,  around  one  council  board.  For  thefe  rea- 
fons,  the  General  Affociation  was  kept  up,  as  long  as 
it  was.  Finding  it  however,  confiderably  wearifome 
to  colled:  fo  many  from  fuch  diftant  parts  ;  and  hav- 
ing already  fecured  their  moft  important  civil  rights ; 
they  determined  to  hold  only  on6  more  General  Affo- 
ciation, an4  then  dividing  into  diftricfts,  to  form  fome 
plan,  to  keep  a  ffanding  fentinel  for  political  purpo- 
hs^  In  order  to  mature  this  plan,  for  dividing  into 
dift jids,  they  agreed  to  feave  two  Spring  affociation^ 


68  Itl STORY    OF   THE 

one  on  the  South  fide,  and  one  on  the  North  fide  o£ 
James  River.  To  thefe,  it  was  expected  that  the 
churches,  on  each  fide,  would  fend  delegates  to  the 
aflbciations,  in  their  refpe(5live  diftrids. 

They  then  proceeded  to  appoint  the  aflbciation  at 
Pupuy's  meeting  houfe,  Powhatan  county,  2d  Satur- 
day in  Odober  1783.  The  one  on  the  South  lide, 
was  appointed  at  Nottoway  meeting  houfe,  in  Notto- 
way county,  the  2d  Saturday  in  May  1783.  The  one 
on  the  North  fide  at  Noel's  meeting  houfe,  in  Effex 
county,  the  iirfl  Saturday  in  May  1783. 

The  firfl  Wednesday  in  November,  was  appointed 
a  day  of  fafling  and  prayer,  on  account  of  the  prcf- 
pe6ls  of  famine,  and  to  avert  the  judgments  of  God, 
on  account  of  the  increafing  wickcdnefs  of  the  land. 

Second  Saturday  in  0(5lober  1783,  they  met  in  Ge- 
neral A  fTociation,  according  to  appointment,  and  for 
the  laft  time.  37  delegates,  including  mofl  of  the 
a(5live  preachers  in  Virginia,  were  preient.  Wm. 
Webber,  Moderator.     John  Williams,  Clerk. 

The  following  bufinefs  was  tranfadted  in  this  af- 
fociation : 

Resolved,  That  our  General  or  Annual  AfTociation 
ceafe,  and  that  a  general  committee  be  inftituted, 
compofed  of  not  more  than  four  delegates  from  each 
diftrict  aifociation,  to  meet  annually,  to  confider  mat- 
ters that  may  be  for  the  good  of  the  whole  fociety, 
and  that  the  prefent  alTociation  be  divided  into  four 
diftricftc  :  Upper  and  Lower  Diftrid,  on  each  fide  of 
James  River. 

■  A  motion  was  made  by  John  Williams  :  That  as 
they  were  now  about  to  divide  into  fedtions,  they 
ought  to  adopt  fome  confefTion  of  faith,  by  way  of 
affording  a  flandard  of  principles  to  fubfequent  times. 

They  then  agreed  to  adopt  the  Philadelphia  con- 
fefiion  of  faith,  upon  the  following  explanations : 

*'  To  prevent  its  ufurping  a  tyrannical  power,  over 
the  confciences  of  any :  We  do  not  mean  that  every 
perfon  is  to  be  bound  to  the  itrid  obfervance  of  eve- 


GENERAL  'COMIMITTEE.  69 

ry  thing  therein  contained,  nor  do  we  mean  to  make 
it,  in  any  rofpecft,  fuperiour  or  equal  to  the  fcriptures, 
in  matters  of  faith  and  pradice ;  although  we  think 
it  the  beft  human  cbmpofition  of  the  kind  now  ex- 
tant ;  yet  it  ihall  be  liable  to  alterations,  whenever 
the  General  Committee,  in  behalf  of  the  affociations, 

fhall  think  lit."  

Reuben  Ford  and  John  Waller,  were  appointed  de- 
legates to  wait  on  the  General  AfTembly,  with  a 
memorial.     Then  difiolved. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

•  Coiitaining  a  Hisiory  of  ihc   General  CommiUee,  from 
their  first  session,  until  their  dissolution  in  1799, 

Circumstanced  as  the  Baptifts  were  at  this  pe- 
riod, it  would  have  been  the  height  of  folly,  to  have 
difTolved  the  general  afTociation,  without  fubftituting 
fome  other  alTembly,  capable  of  confulting  and  devi- 
fing  meafures,  for  the  benefit  of  the  whole  connex- 
ion. In  mod  refpecls  a  meeting  compofed  of  repre- 
fentatives  from  the  different  allbciations,  was  prefera- 
ble to  the  general  aflbciation.  Being  a  fmall  number, 
they  could  ad:  more  promptly  j  they  would  have  few-^ 
er  local  matters,  and  could  therefore  devote  their  at- 
tention more  intently  to  thofe  of  general  concern ; 
and  laflly,  there  being  three  other  aflociations  now  in 
the  ilate,  befides  the  one  called  the  General  Aflbci- 
ation ;  thefe  could  unite  in  a  General  Committee, 
and  contribute  their  aid,  in  meafures  interefling  to  ail. 

The  General  Committee  accordingly  met,  for  the 
nril  time  on  Saturday,  Odober  9th,  1784.  Dele- 
gates from  four  affociations  afTembled.  Wm.  Web- 
ber was  appointed  Moderator ;  and  Reuben  Ford, 
Clerk. 

Of  the  plan  of  government,  the  following  are  the 
only  articles  proper  to  be  noticed. 


70  irrsTORY  of  the 

1*  The  general  committee  fliali  be  conipofed  of 
delegiites,  fent  from  all  the  district  allociations,  that 
defire  to  correlpond  with  each  other. 

2.  No  ailbciation  fliall  be  reprefented  in  the  gene- 
ral committee,  by  more  than  four  delegates. 

3.  The  committee  thus  compofed,  fliall  confider 
all  the  political  grievances  of  the  whole  Baptist  soci- 
ety in  Virginia,  and  all  references  from  the  dill:ri«ft 
aflbciations,  refpeding  matters  which  concern  the  Bap- 
tist society  at  large. 

4.  No  petition,  mem.orlal  or  remonstrance,  fliail 
he  prefented  to  the  general  aflembly  from  any  aflbci- 
ation  in  connexion  with  the  general  committee.— 
All  things  of  that  kind  fhall  originate  with  the  ge- 
gcneral  committee. 

Under  this  constitution  they  proceeded  to  bulinefs. 

The  law  for  the  folemnization  of  marriage,  and 
tnG  vestry  law,  were  confidered  political  grievances. 

They  alfo  refolved  to  oppofe  the  law  for  a  general 
affeffment,  and  that  for  the  incorporation  of  religi- 
ous focieties,  which  were  now  in  agitation.* 

A  memorial  to  the  general  aflembly  praying  for  a 
repeal  of  the  vestry  law,  and  for  an  alteration  in  the 
marriage  law,  was  drawn  and  committed  to  the  hands 
of  the  Rev.  Reuben  Ford,  to  be  prefented  to  the  next 
assembly. 

Saturday y  Auguft  13,  1785. — The  general  com- 
mittee met  a  fecond  time  at  Dupuy's  meeting  houfe, 
Powhatan  countv.  Delesrates  from  four  associations 
were  prefent.  Wm.  Webber  was  chofen  Moderator; 
and  Reuben  Ford,  clerk.-j^ 

Reuben  Ford  reported,  that  according  to  tJie  direc- 
tions given  him,  he  prefented  a  memorial  and  petiti- 
on to  the  Honorable  General  Assembly :  That  they 

*It  may  be  proper  here  to  inform  the  reader,  that  tlie  remon- 
ftranccs  lent  to  the  General  AfTembly  by  the  Baptifts,  about  this 
lime,  were  againft  certain  opprefFive  laws,  made  fubfcqucnt  to 
the  bill  eflablifliing  religious  freedom,  mentioned  in  page  65.^ 

t  Except  a  few  leflions  of  the  General  Committee.  William 
Webber  a6led  as  Moderator,  and  Reuben  Ford  as  clerh,  until  the 
meeiing  was  diflblvc-d. 


GENERAL    COMMITTEE,  71 

met  with  a  favourable  reception  ;  that  certain  amend- 
ments were  made  to  the  marriage  law,  which  he 
thought  fatisfadory. 

To  this  report,   the  general  committee  concurred. 

They  were  further  informed,  that  at  the  last  felTi- 
on  of  the  general  alTembly,  a  bill  for  a  general  af- 
fessment  was  introduced,  and  had  almost  passed  into 
a  law  ;  but  when  at  that  stage,  in  v/hich  it  is  called 
an  engross^ed  bill,  a  motion  was  made  and  carried, 
that  it  fhould  be  referred  to  the  next  assembly,  in  or- 
der to  give  the  people  an  opportunity  to  confider  it. 

The  general  committee,  as  guardians  of  the  rights 
of  the  Virginia  Baptiils,  of  course  took  up  the  subjed:, 
and  came  to  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  those  coun- 
ties, which  have  not  yet  prepared  petitions,  to  be  pre- 
sented to  the  general  assembly,  against  the  engrossed 
bill  for  a  general  assessment  for  the  support  of  the 
teachers  of  the  Christian  religion,  to  proceed  there- 
on, as  soon  as  possible  :  That  it  is  believed  to  be  re- 
pugnant to  the  spirit  of  the  gospel,  for  the  legisla- 
ture thus  to  proceed  in  matters  of  religion  :  that  no 
human  laws  ought  to  be  established  for  this  purpose  ; 
but  that  every  person  ought  to  be  left  entirely  free,  in 
respect  to  matters  of  religion  :  that  the  holy  author 
of  our  religion,  needs  no  such  compulsive  measures 
for  the  promotion  of  his  cause  :  that  the  gospel, 
wants  not  the  feeble  arm  of  man  for  its  support :  tfxat 
it  has  made,  and  will  again  through  divine  power, 
make  its  way  againil  all  oppoiition  :  and  that,  fhould 
the  legislature  assume  the  right  of  taxing  the  people 
for  the  support  of  the  gospel,  it  v/ill  be  deflructive  to 
religious  liberty. 

Therefore y  This  committee  agrees  unanimously,  that 
it  will  be  expedient  to  appoint  a  delegate  to  wait  on 
the  general  assembly,  with  a  remonflrance  and  petiti- 
on against  such  assessment. 

Accordingly,  the  liev.  Reuben  Ford  was  appointed. 

It  v/as  then  consulted,  whetb^erit  v.'ouldnotbed?- 


7^  HISTOHY  OF    fllE 

sirable  to  establish  among  the  Baptists  some  uhiforiri 
mode  for  the  solemnization  of  marriage.  Upon 
which,  it  was  resolved  to  adopt  and  recommend  the 
form  laid  down  in  the  common  prayer  book,  leaving 
out  a  few  exceptionable  parts ;  and  that  it  be  printed, 
together  with  the  catechism  entitled  Milk  for  Babes,^' 

Saturday,  August  5,  1786. — The  next  general 
committee  was  holden  at  Anderson's  meetinghouse, 
Buckingham  county.  Delegates  from  five  associati- 
ons assembled. 

Reuben  Ford,  who  was  appointed  to  wait  upon  the 
ailembly,  with  a  memorial  and  petition  againft  the  bill 
for  a  general  assessment ;  Reported,  That  he  waited 
on  the  house  of  assembly  according  to  appointment ; 
.  that  the  law  for  assessment  did  not  pass ;  but,  on  the 
contrary,  an  act  passed  explaining  the  nature  of  reli- 
gious liberty. 

This  law,  so  much  admired  for  the  lucid  manner,  in 
which  it  treats  of,  arid  explains  religious  liberty,  was 
drawn  by  the  venefable  Sir.  Thomas  Jefferson, 

It  may  be  found  in  the  29th  page  of  the  Revised 
Code  of  the  Virginia  laws. 

1'he  committee  concurred  in  the  report,  and  de- 
clared themselves  well  pleased  with  the  law  above 
mentioned. 

Here  let  us  remark,  that  the  inhibition  of  the  gene- 
ral assessment,  may  in  a  considerable  degree,  be  as- 
cribed to  the  opposition  made  to  it  by  the  Baptists  : 
for  it  is  stated  by  those  who  were  conversant  with  the 
proceedings  of  those  times,  that  the  reference  made 
to  the  people,  after  the  bill  was  engrossed,  was  done 
with  a  design  to  give  the  different  religious  societies 
>an  opportunity  of  expressing  their  w^flies.  The  Bap- 
tists, we  believe,  were  the  only  sect  who  plainly  re- 
monftrated.  Of  some  others,  it  is  said,  that  the  lai- 
ty and  ministry  were  at  variance  upon  the  subjedj  so 

*  It  is  much  to  be  deplored  that  this,  or  lome  other  form  of 
religious  instru6lion  for  children,  has  not  been  in  more  Common 
nse  among  the  Baptists. 


GENfeRlL    GOMMITTEE.  ^3 

as  to  paralize  their  exertions  either  for  or  against  the 
bill.  These  remarks,  by  the  by,  apply  only  to  reli- 
gious societies,  acfting  as  such.  Individuals  of  all 
sects  and  parties  joined  in  the  opposition. 

The  general  committee  then  went  into  the  consi- 
deration of  a  law  for  the  incorporation  of  the  Epis- 
copal society,  and  thereby  vefting  certain  property  in 
them.  Upon  this  subject  they  Ke5o/uec?,  That  peti- 
tions ought  to  be  drawn  and  circulated  in  the  differ- 
ent counties,  and  presented  to  the  next  general  as- 
sembly, praying  for  a  repeal  of  the  incorporating  act, 
and  that  the  public  property  which  is  by  that  act  ves- 
ted in  the  Proteilant  Episcopal  (.  hurch  be  sold,  and 
the  money  applied  to  public  use,  and  that  Reuben 
Ford  and  John  1  eland  attend  the  next  assembly,  as 
agents  in  behalf  of  the  general  committee. 

The  schism  which  took  place  among  the  Regular 
and  Separate  Baptifts,  soon  after  their  rise  in  Virgi- 
nia, had  never  been,  as  yet,  entirely  removed,  although 
a  very  friendly  intercourse  had  been  occasionally  kept 
up  among  them. 

The  time  was  now  at  hand  when  all  differences  and 
party  spirit  v/as  about  to  be  forever  wiped  off.  'I 'he 
Ketocton  or  Regular  Baptist  AfTociation,  sent  dele- 
gates to  this  general  committee,  and  they  were  re- 
ceived upon  equal  footing  with  those  from  the  other 
aflbciations.  This  gave  rise  to  the  following  recom- 
mendation : 

"  It  is  recommended  to  the  different  a/fociations  'to 
appoint  delegates,  to  attend  the  neit  General  Com- 
mitteei  for  the  purpose  of  forming  an  union  with  the 
Regular  Baptijts," 

Friday i  Anguji  lo,   17^7. — The  fourth  session  of 
the  general  committee  was  holden  at  Dover  meeting 
house  in  Goochland  county.      Delegates  from  six  as- 
sociations assembled.^ 

*  There  were  only  fix  affociations  at  this  time  in  the  ftate,  fo 
that  they  were  all  reprefented. 

K 


HISTORY    OF    THE 


The  Hev.  Meflrs.  Ford  and  X^eland,  who  were  ap- 
pointed  to  wait  on  the  general  assembly,  J^epoited, 
That  according  to  their  inflriictions,  they  presented  a 
memorial  praying  for  a  repeal  of  the  incorporating  act : 
that  the  memorial  was  received  by  the  honorable 
house,  and  that,  that  part  of  the  said  act,  which  res- 
pected the  incorporation  of  the  Proteftant  Episcopal 
Church,  as  a  religious  society,  and  marking  out  the 
rules  of  their  procedure,  was  repealed  ;  but  that,  that 
part  which  respected  the  glebes,  &c.  remained  as  it 
•was. 

Whereupon,  the  queftion  was  put  whether  the  ge- 
neral committee  viewed  the  glebes,  &c.  as  public 
property.... By  a  majority  of  one  they  decided  that 
they  were.  They  did  hot  however,  at  this  time,  send 
any  memorial  to  the  general  assembly. 

Agreeable  to  appointment,  the  subject  of  the  union 
of  Hegular  and  Separate  Baptifts,  was  taken  up  ;  and 
a  happy  and  eifectual  reconciliation  was  accomplifh- 
ed* 

The  objections  on  the  part  of  the  Separates,  rela- 
ted chiefly  to  matters  of  trivial  importance,  and  had 
been  for  some  time  removed,  as  to  being  a  bar  of  com- 
munion. On  the  other  hand>  the  Regulars  complain- 
ed, that  the  Separates  were  n©t  sufficiently  explicit  in 
their  principles,  having  never  publiflied  or  sanction- 
ed any  confeffion  of  faith  ;  and  that  they  kept  with- 
in their  communion,  many  who  were  professed  A r- 
minians,  &c.  To  these  things,  it  was  answered  by 
the  Sieparates,  that  a  large  majority  of  them,  believed 
zs  much,  in  their  confession  of  faith,  as  they  did  them- 
selves, although  they  did  not  entirely  approve  of  the 
practice  of  religious  societies,  binding  themselves  too 
ftrictly  by  confessions  of  faith,  seeing  there  was  dan- 
ger of  their  finally  usurping  too  high  a  place  :  that 
if  there  were  some  among  them,  who  leaned  too  much 
towards  the  Arminian  system,  they  were  gene- 
rally men  of  exemplary  piety,  and  great  usefulness 
in  the  Redeemer's  kingdom ;  and  they  conceived  it 


GENERAL    COMMITTEE,  75 

better  to  bear  with  some  diversity  of  opinion  in  doc- 
trines, than  to  break  with  men,  whose  chriftian  deport- 
ment, rendered  them  amiable  in  the  eftimation  of  all 
true  lovers  of  genuine  godliness.  Indeed,  that  some 
of  them  had  now  become  fathers  in  the  gospel,  who 
previous  to  the  bias  which  their  minds  had  received, 
had  borne  the  brunt  and  heat  of  persecution,  whose 
labours  and  sufferings  God  had  blessed,  and  flill  bles- 
sed, to  the  great  advancement  of  his  cause  :  To  ex- 
clude such  as  these  from  their  communion,  would  be 
like  tearing  the  limbs  from  the  body. 

These  and  such  like  arguments,  were  agitated  both 
in  public  and  private,  so  that  all  minds  were  much 
mollified,  before  the  final  and  successful  attempt  for 
union. 

The  terms  of  the  union  were  entered  on  the  mi- 
nutes in  the  following  words,  viz. 

"  The  committee  appointed  to  consider  the  terms 
of  union  with  our  Regular  Brethren,  Reported ;  tha.t 
they  conceive  the  manner  in  which  the  Regular  Bap- 
*ift  confession  of  faith  has  been  received  by  a  former 
afix)ciation,  is  the  ground-work  for  such  union." 

After  considerable  debate,  as  to  the  propriety  of  ha- 
ving any  confe§sion  of  faith  at  all,  the  report  of  the 
committee  was  received  with  the  following  explana- 
tion: 

**  To  prevent  the  confession  of  faith  from  usurping 
a  tyrannical  power  over  the  conscience  of  any,  we 
do  not  mean,  that  every  person  is  bound  to  the  strict 
observance  of  every  thing  therein  contained ;  yet 
that  it  holds  forth  the  effential  truths  of  the  gospel 
and  that  the  doctrine  of  salvation  by  Chrifl  and  free 
unmerited  grace  alone,  ought  to  be  believed  by  every 
chriftian,  and  maintained  by  every  minifler  of  the  gos- 
pel. Upon  these  terms  we  are  united ;  and,  desire 
hereafter  that  the  names  Regular  and  Separate,  be 
buried  in  oblivion ;  and  that,  from  henceforth,  we 
fhall  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  United  Baptist 
Churches  of'  Christ,  in  Virgima." 


'?  0  :  KI S TORY   O F    TH E 

This  union' has  now  (1809,)  continued  upwards  of 
22  years,  without  any  interruption.  The  bands  of 
union,  are  apparently  much  ftronger  than  at  lirft. 
] t  is  quite  pleafing  Ibmetimes  to  find,  that  members 
and  even  minifters  of  intelligence,  among  the  Bap- 
tifts,  have  manifested  a  total  unacquaintance  with  the 
terms  Regular  and  Separate,  when  they  have  been 
occafionally  mentioned  in  their  company.  From 
thiSj  is  is  plain  that  all  party  spirit  is  now  laid  aside, 
and  that  it  was  a  union  of  hearts  as  well  as  parties. 

It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  this  conjudion  of  dif- 
fevered  brethren,  took  place  at  a  time,  when  a  great 
revival  of  religion  had  already  commenced,  and  not 
far  from  the  time,  when  it  fhould  burft  forth  on  the 
right  hand  and  on  the  left,  throughout  the  ftate. — - 
Some  of  our  reiie(5ling  readers,  will  impute  this  to  a 
providential  interference  of  God,  difpofing  the  hearts 
of  his  people  to  love  and  peace,  in  order  to  prepare 
them  for  the  day  of  his  power.  Others  will  fay,  ra- 
ther the  work  having  already  begun,  a  revival  of  true 
religion  always  tends  to  open  the  hearts  of  the  friends 
of  God,  and  makes  them  fbretch  the  robe  of  charity, 
fo  as  really  to  cover  a  multitude  of  faults.  Whether 
to  the  one,  or  to  the  other,  or  to  both  thefe  caufes, 
may  be  afcribed,  the  accommodating  temper  of  the 
two  parties  ;  certain  it  is,  that  nothing  could  be  more 
falutary.  The  ointment  poured  upon  Aaron's  head, 
was  not  more  favoury  :  The  dew  on  Hermon,  was 
not  more  fructifying,  than  is  the  union  of  brethren  , 
it  is  there,  even  where  love  reigns,  that  the  Lord  com- 
mands his  bJeffing,  life  eternal,  life  for  ever  more. 

The  next  general  committee  met  at  Williams's 
meeting  houle,  Goochland  county,  Friday  the  7th  of 
March  1778.  Delegates  from  four  aflbciations  at- 
tended. 

The  religious  political  fubjeds,  which  were  taken 
up  at  this  ielhon,  were  : 

ifl.  Whether  the  new  federal  conflltution,  which 
had  now  lately  made  its  appearance  in  public,  made 


GENERAL    COMMITTEE.  77 

iufficient  proviiion  for  the  fecure  enjoyment  of  reli- 
gious liberty;  on  which,  it  was  agreed  unanimously, 
that,  in  the  opinion  of  the  general  committee.  It  did  not, 

2d.  Whether  a  petition  fhall  be  offered  to  the  next 
general  aiTembly,  praying  for  the  lale  of  the  vacant 
glebes. 

After  much  deliberation  on  this  fubjed:,  it  was  fi- 
nally determined,  that  petitions  fliould  be  prefented  to  * 
the  next  general  affembly,  asking  the  lale  of  the  va- 
cant glebes,  as  being  public  property  -,  and  accord- 
ingly, four  perfons  werechofen  from  the  general  com- 
mittee to  prefent  their  memorial,  viz.  l^^li  Clay,  Xeu- 
ben  Ford,  John  Waller  and  John  Williame^ 

3d     Whether  a  petition  fliould   be  offered  to  the 
general  affembly,    praying  that  the   yoke   of  llavery  , 
may  be  made  more  tolerable.     Referred   to  the  next 
fellion. 

It  appears  from  the  minutes  of  this  feflion,  that  let- 
ters had  been  received  from  the  Kevd.  Afa  fiunt,  of 
Maflachufetts,  and  the  Revd.  Lemuel  Powers,  of 
New- York  flate,  propofing  a  correfpondence  between 
the  General  Committee  and  the  Northern  affociations, 
to  which  propofal  the  general  committee  readily  agreed, 
and  appointed  Mr.  Leland  to  vifit  as  many  of  them,  as 
he  could  conveniently.  Letters  of  correfpondence 
were  alfo  prepared.  Hopes  were  entertained  by  fome, 
about  this  time,  of  forming  a  general  meeting,  to  be 
composed  of  delegates  from  all  the  ftates  in  the  union. 
Such  a  plan,  however  deiirable,  was  never  put  into 
praftice. 

The  firfl  propofal  for  publifhing  A  History  of  the 
Kise  and  Prog?'ess  of  the  Baptists  in  Virginia,  was 
made  at  this  feffion. 

The  next  feflion  of  the  general  committee  was  at 
Dupuy's  meeting  house,  Auguft  the  nth,  1788. 
Delegates  from  five  affociations  attended. 

*  The  memorial  was  presented,  and  similar  memorials  and  petitions  conti- 
nued to  be  preicnted  to  the  legislature  from  the  general  committee  vmtil  1799, 
when  they  gained  tlkcir  objeft. 


78  HISTORY    OF    THE 

The  queftion  whether  a  memorial  fliould  belent  to 
the  general  a fTembly  at  their  next  feflion,  refpedting 
the  gJebc  lands,  was  taken  up,  l\liertupQn,\t\vdJi 
refolved,  that  the  bufinefs  ihould  be  entrufted  to  the 
care  of  Klders  Leland,  Waller  and  Clay,  lO  be  left 
difcretionary  in  them,  to  prefent  a  memorial  or  not,  as 
they  may  think  beft.  On  examining  the  papers  di- 
reded  to  the  general  committee  at  this  feffion,  it  was 
found  that  a  letter  was  received  from  the  Rev.  James 
Manning,  Prefident  of  Providence  college  in  Rhode - 
Ifland,  recommending  and  encouraging  the  Baptifts 
of  Virginia,  to  ered  a  feminary  of  learning.  This 
fubject  was,  of  courfe  taken  up,  and  they  came  to  the 
following  decif]on,viz. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  perfons  on  each 
iide  of  James  River,  be  appointed  to  forward  the  buli- 
nefs  refpedting  a  feminary  of  learning  -,  accordingly 
Samuel  Harrifs,  John  Williams,  Eli  Clay,  Simeon 
Walton  and  David  Barrow,  were  appointed  on  the 
South  j  and  Robert  Carter,  John  Waller,  Wm.  Frif- 
toe,  John  Leland  and  Reuben  Ford,  on  the  North  fide 
of  faid  river. 

Resolved y  That  Samuel  Harrifs,  John  Williams, 
Simeon  Walton,  John  Leland,  Henry  Toler  and  Lew- 
is Lunsford,  be  appointed  to  colledt  materials  for  com- 
piling and  publifliing  a  History  of  the  Baplhts  in  Vir- 
giuioy  and  report  to  the  next  general  committee. 

The  next  general  committee  met  in  Richmond, 
Augufl:  the  8th,  1789.  Delegates  from  7  affociations 
met.  Samuel  Harrifs,  Moderator,  Reuben  Ford, 
Clerk. 

At  this  seffion,  letters  and  minutes  of  correfpon- 
dence  were  received  from  various  quarters.  The  use- 
fulnefs  of  the  general  committee,  in  keeping  up  a  cor- 
refpondenceand  in tercourfe  among  the  Baptiils  through- 
out the  United  States,  was  inconceivable.  From  Geor- 
gia to  Maflachufetts  they  were  known,  and  received 
occafionally  from  fome,  and  ftatedly  from  others,  let- 
ters, minutes  and  other  indications  of  fellowihip.     So 


C;E^fEBAL;^CO  MMITTEE.  f9 

ilatj  if  a  general  union  of  men,  embarked  in  the. same 
heavenly  caufe,  could  be efteemed  deiirable,  then  Ought 
We  to  efleerh  the  general  committee  as  an  inftitution 
founded  in  wisdom . 

The  committee  for  the  promotion  of  a  feminary  of 
learning,  appointed  lafl  year,  was  continued,  with  the 
alteration  of  a  few  perlons. 

Sundry  perfons  were  alfo  added,  to  thofe  appointed 
laft  year,  for  the  coUedion  of  documents*  for  printing 
a  [iif lory  of  the  Rise  and  Progress  of  the  Baptijisin 
Virginia, 

The  propriety  of  hereditary  flavery,  was  alfo  taken 
up  at  this  feilion,  and  after  fome  time  employed  in  the 
confideration  of  the  fubjedt,  the  following  refolution 
was  offered  by  Mr.  Leland,  and  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  flavery  is  a  violent  deprivation  of  the 
rights  of  nature,  and  incondfient  with  a  republican 
government,  iand  therefore  recommend  it  to  our  bre- 
thren, to  make  ufeof  every  legal  meafure  to  extirpate 
this  horrid  evil  from  the  land  ;  and  pray  Almighty 
God  that  our  honorable  legislature  may  have  it  in  their 
power  to  proclaim  the  great  Jubilee,  confiflcnt  with 
the  principles  of  good  policy. 

Thofe  who  had  formerly  gone  under  the  name  of 
Regulars,  fent  a  letter  to  this  general  committee,  re- 
monftrating  againfl  fome  things  licenfed  among  that 
part  of  the  Baptifts  formerly  called  Separates. 

To  which  an  answer  was  sent  by  the  general  com- 
mittee, which  proved  fatisfactory. 

At  this  general  committee,  was  Jofhua  Barnes  a 
preacher,  who  was  born  blind.  As  the  God  of  nature 
would  be  merciful,  whenever  he  deprives  any  of  his 
creatures  of  one  natural  endowment,  he  commonly 
doubles  their  capacity  in  fomething  elfe.  Mr.  Barnes 
probably  poiTefled  the  moil  Angularly  retentive  memo- 
ry, as  to  any  thing  he  heard,  efpecially  what  was  read 
to  him,  of  any  other  man  living.  He  would  preach  a 
long  fermon^  and  quote  an  uncommon  number  of  texts 
of  fcripture,  to  prove  his  points,   of  which  he  would 


S6  litSTORY   O^   Tlife 

always  tell  both  chapter  and  verfe.  He  was  an  excel- 
lent preacher  and  a  very  pious  tn in.  He  was  a  native 
and  relident  of  Vorth  Carolina,  but  travelled  much  in 
Virginia.      Me  died  in  the  year  1 796 

The  fele6l  committee  appointed  to  colled  materials 
for  compiling  a  History  of  the  Bapfi/ts  in  Virginia^ 
Reported,  That  they  had  proceeded  (o  far  therein,  as 
to  find  a  foundation  laid,  for  entering  on  the  faid  work. 
Resolved  tkereforCj  That  the  Rev.  John  Leland  and 
John  Williams,  be  recommended  by  the  general  com- 
mittee to  engage  in  compiling  the  faid  history,  and 
that  the  brethren  hitherto  engaged  in  colleding  mate- 
rials, do  furnifh  the  faid  compilers  as  far  as  they  can, 
and  that  the  profits  ariling  from  the  work,  be  wholly 
to  the  compilers. 

The  bufinefs  respetfting  feminaries  of  learning,  was 
referred  to  the  next  general  committee. 

The  next  general  committee  met  at  Nuckol*s  meet- 
ing houfe,  Goochland  county.  May  the  14th,  1791. 
Delegates  from  feven  affociations  wereenrolled. 

The  firft  bufinefs  in  which  they  engaged  was  to  con- 
iider  whether  they  had  not  departed  from  their  former 
plan.  This  queflion  produced  a  long  debate.  It  wa5 
determined  that  they  had  deviated  from  their  original 
plan  ;  that  the  original  delign  of  the  general  commit- 
tee was,  only  to  conlider  religious  political  grievances, 
and  to  feek  for  recrefs.  Resolved  thereto^ e,  that  that 
part  of  the  3d  article,  which  contains  thefe  words  : 
**  And  all  references  from  the  difbiB  aljociations,  res- 
pecting matters  that  may  concern  the  whole  body,'*  be 
flruck  out. 

Confidering,  that  neither  affociations  nor  the  gene- 
ral committee  ever  pretended  to  any  thing  more,  than 
the  power  of  giving  advice  ;  this  deciiion  Vv^as  certain- 
ly very  injudicious.  What  pofTible  mifchief,  it  may 
be  asked,  could  arife  from  receiving  references  from  the 
affociitions,  refpeding  matters  of  a  general  nature. — 
It  would  feem,  to  an  impartial  mind,  to  be  the  furefl 
road  to  uniformity,  and  confequcntly  to  harmony  and 


GENERAL    COMMITTEE.  8«1 

]f>eace.  This  decifion,  or  fomething  elfe,  proved  fatal 
to  the  rifing  profperity  of  the  general  committee.  For 
from  that  feffion,  it  began  to  decline,  and  fo  continu- 
ed until  it  was  finally  dillblved  in  the  year  1799. 

Having  thus  cramped  themfelves,  they  proceeded 
to  the  confideration  of  other  matters.  The  memo- 
rial againft  the  glebes,  &c.  w^as  the  only  bulinefs  be- 
fore them. 

This  feffion  of  the  general  committee  was  the  ful- 
left,  and  the  moil  refpedlable  of  any  that  had  ever  been 
hoi  den  in  Virginia :  There  being  an  aflemblage  of  the 
greatefl  Baptill:  preachers,  refiding  within  the  Hate ; 
befides  two  or  three  from  Georgia,  who  in  point  of 
t-alents,  might  be  honourably  compared  with  any,  in 
any  part  of  the  world.  Thefe  were  the  Rev.  Silas 
Mercer  and  the  Rev.  Jeremiah  Walker ;  of  the  latter 
of  whom,  much  has  already  been  faid.  Thefe  two 
men,  although  agreed  upon  thepointof  baptism,  and 
therefore  both  Baptifts,  were  much  at  variance,  upon 
the  do(5trines  of  free  will,  and  free  grace  ;  or  as  they 
are  fometimes,  by  way  of  diflind:ion  called,  Calvi- 
nifmand  Arminianifm.  Mr.  Mercer  was  a  decided 
Calvinift,  and  Mr.  Walker,  as  decided  an  Arminian; 
though  it  muft  be  confelTed,  that  neither  of  them 
carried  their  fyftem  to  fuch  extremes,  as  they  have 
been  carried  by  many.  Mr.  Mercer  denied  the  doc- 
trine of  eternal  reprobation,  and  Mr.  Walker  ac- 
knowledged that  of  imputed  righteoufnefs.  In  the 
general  committee  each  had  a  refpeftable  party,  tho' 
the  Calvaniftic  fide  v/as  much  the  iargeft.  It  is  hard 
to  fay,  which  of  the  two  had  the  advantage  in  point 
o£  talents.  They  were  both,  men  of  fuperlative 
original  genius,  and  neither  had  the  advantage  of  a 
claffical  education.  To  remedy  the  defed  of  which, 
each  of  them  had  applied  himfeif  to  reading,  though 
at  fomewhat  a  late  period  of  life,  and  it  is  not  eafy 
to  determine  which  of  the  two  was  moil  advanced 
In  the  knowledge  of  books.  As  it  refpedled  addrefs, 
;^ither,in,  or  out  of  the  puipit.  Walker  had  greatly  the 

1^ 


8!si  IW STORY    OF    THE 

fuperiority.  His  manners  in  private  companies, 
were  exceedingly  attaching.  Gentle,  affable,  polite  -, 
cheerful  yet  grave^  familiar  yet  dignified;  he  was, 
in  a  word,  every  thing  that  could  encourage  the  back- 
ward, or  foothe  the  irritable.  His  converfation  was 
fenfible,  and  judiciously  adapted,  tothofe  with  whom 
he  was  conversing.  He  was  by  no  means  urgent  or 
positive,  in  fupporting  his  opinions,  but  would  ply 
his  competitor  with  Hvong  arguments,  as  if  they  were 
pearls  thrown  before  him,  which  he  might  gather  up 
as  his  own,  or  leave  them ;  and  it  is  probable,  fev.- 
men  could  make  gewgaws  look  more  like  jewels, 
than  Jeremiah  Walker :  his  was  a  fweetened  dofe. 
In  the  pulpit,  although  Walker  pofTefTed  but  little 
rhetorical  fire,  (at  leafl  in  his  laft  days),  }'et  he  was 
singularly  entertaining.  When  Walker  preached, 
there  were  few  liftlefs  hearers. 

Mercer,  on  the  other  hand,  both  in  his  countenance 
and  manners,  had  considerably  the  appearance  of 
fternnefs ;  and  to  feel  quite  free  in  his  company,  it 
was  neceffary  to  be  well  acquainted  with  him.  He 
feldom  talked  on  any  other  subjed:,  except  religion, 
and  when  in  company  with  young  preachers,  or  thofe 
who  might  queflion  his  dodrine  or  his  opinions,  his 
remarks  chiefly  turned  on  polemical  points.  He  was 
indefatigable  in  ilriving  to  maintain  his  points,  and 
for  this  purpofe  would  hear  any,  and  all  objediions, 
that  could  be  raifcd,  and  would  then  labour  assiduous^- 
ly  to  remove  them.  His  arguments,  however,  nei- 
ther in  private  nor  public,  wei:e  ever  dreffed  with 
oratorical  ornaments.  He  did  n6t  aim  at  it.  Indeed 
he  did  not  feem  to  willi  it.  He  fpoke  and  aded  like 
one,  who  felt  himfelf  furrounded  by  the  impregna- 
ble bulwarks  of  truth,  and  therefore,  did  not  wifh 
to  parley.  Regardlefs  of  the  mountings  of  his  ar- 
mour, his  whole  attention  was  occupied  in  wielding 
it  well,  and  in  afluring  himfelf  and  others,  that  it 
was  made  of  durable  metal.  He  feemed  to  be  fear- 
ful of  hurting  the  real  fplendour  ©f  his  diamonds,  by 


GENERAL    COMMITTEE.  S^ 

^1  ficflitious  gliftening.    Having  thus  fhortly  pourtray- 
ed  thefe  two  men,  as  they  appeared  to  us  when  in  Vir- 
ginia in  '91,  we  will  give  fome  account  of  their  mea- 
liires  to  fupport  their  opinions,  while  w^ith  us.     Mer- 
cer being  on  the  popular  side,  was  chofen  to  preach 
on  Sunday.     Walker,  with  fome  difficulty,  obtained 
leave  to  preach  on  Monday.     Mercer  went  fully  in- 
to the  arguments  tending  to  illuftrate  and  prove  his 
iyftem.     He  was  mafterly  indeed.     He  fpoke,  asone 
having  authority.     His  fermon,  left  deep  and  durable 
impreffions.     Walker  alfo  defended  his  principles, 
in  an  ingenious  and  mafterly  manner.     Feeling  him-» 
felf  meafurably  preffed  down,  by  the  popular  cur- 
rent,  he  could  not  difplay  the  fame  bold  ahd  com- 
manding fpirit,  as  his  competitor  felt :   He  was  how- 
ever by  no  means  deficient  in  clofe  and  forcible  ar- 
guments.    From  the  general  committee,  they  both 
travelled  and  preached  extensively,  through  the  ftate, 
creating  wherever  they  went,  much  converfation  and 
agitation  of  mind  among  the  people.     Walker  pub- 
liilied  a  pamphlet,  entitled,    "  The  fourfold  foimda- 
tion  of  Calvinism  examined t   and  shaken,'*     It  was 
certainly  no  mean  performance,  and  was  thought  to 
have  made  temporary  impreffions  upon  many  ftrong 
Calvinifts.     Mercer  alfo  had  books  upon  the  conteft- 
ed  points,  but  not  of  his  own  compolition.     The  ul- 
timate confequence  of  this  inveftigation  of  principles, 
was,  a  decreafe  of  Arminianifm  among  the  Baptifts 
of  Virginia,  and  a  much  greater  uniformity  in  the 
dodrines  of  grace.     Some  \vere  thought  alfo,  after 
thefe  events,  to  have  puffied  the  Calviniftic  scheme, 
to  an  Antinomian  extreme. 

Their  next  meeting  was  at  Tomahawk  meeting- 
house, Cheileriield  county.  May  12th,  1792.  Dele- 
gates from  nine  aflbciations  met. 

It  was  now  m.ade  a  queftion,  whether  thelaft  ge- 
neral committee  had  not  cramped  themfelves  by  the 
amendment  to  the  conftitution,  in  the  third  article. 
In  order  to  decide  this  pqint,  a  committee  was  ap- 


84  HISTORY    OF    TUB 

pointed  to  frame  a  folution  which  after  fome  amend- 
ments, was  in  the  following  words,  viz, 

"  After  maturely  deliberating  on  a  variety  of  circum-. 
stances,  your  committee  suppose  that  the  bu'siaess  of  the 
general  committee  is  to  consider  all  the  political  giiev- 
ances  of  the  whole  Baptist  society  in  Virginia,  and  all 
references  from  associations;  as  also  other  circumstan- 
ces, which  evidently  relate  to  the  external  interest  of  the 
whole  body  of  Baptists,  and  no  other  concerns  what- 
ever." 

This  explanation  of  the  power  of  the  general  com- 
mittee is  certainly  very  obscure.  It  is  Hill  doubtful 
how  far  their  power  extended,  feeing  various  con- 
flructions  might  be  put  upon  the  import  of  the  words 
external  interejt.  But  the  moft  obvious  impropriety 
exifts,  in  the  proceedings  both  of  this  and  the  lall:  ge- 
neral committee,  upon  this  fubject.  The  general 
committee  for  '91,  alters  the  conftitution  by  which  (he 
exifts.  That  of  '92  alters  it  again.,  and  almoil  if  not 
altogether,  brings  it  back  mftatu  quo.  Now,  it  may 
be  afkcd,  can  it  be  proper  for  any  afrembl3>^who  de- 
rive their  power,  not  from  themfelves,  but  from  fome 
other  source,  to  abridge  or  enlarge  those  powers, 
without  consulting  those,  from  whence  they  origina- 
ted. The  confHtution  having  been,  either  directly 
or  indirectly  sanctioned,  by  all  the  affociations  who 
compofe  the  general  committee,  no  alteration  could 
rightly  be  made,  without  their  approbation.  If  it 
were  otherwise,  it  would  be  perfectly  needlefs  to  have 
anyconflitution,  as  they  would  be  no  longer  bound 
b}  any  part,  oifenlive  to  themselves,  than  the  time  it 
would  take  to  alter  it.  Frequent  changes,  in  any  in- 
flitution,  invariably  tends  to  lessen  its  stability. 

The  old  queftion,  respecting  the  glebes  and  church- 
es, as  it  was  generally  called,  of  course  was  taken  up, 
and  fell  into  its  usual  channel. 

At  this  session  several  books  defigned  for  publica- 
tion,  were  offered  to  the  general  committee,  in  order 
to  obtain  their  sanction .     This  was  granted.     This  is 


GENERAL    COMMITTEE.  85 

one,  of  many  ways,  in  which  such  a  meeting  might 
be  useful .  To  bring  a  book,  defigned  for  publication, 
immediately  before  a  public  assembly,  in  order  to 
gam  their  approbation,  would  be  impracticable ;  but 
a  general  meeting  might  be  useful,  by  appointing  a 
Handing  committee,  for  the  purpose  of  examining  any 
thing  intended  for  the  prefs,  which  directly  concerns 
the  honour  and  interefls  of  the  Baptifls.  This  lelect 
committee  might  make  a  report,  flating  the  outlines 
of  the  book,  according  to  which  the  general  meeting 
could  properly  give,  or  withhold  their  recommenda- 
tion ;  this  would  probably,  on  the  one  hand,  give  cur- 
rency to  such  tracts  as  pofTefs  merit  j  while,  on  the 
other  hand,  it  might  happily  suppress  such,  as  would 
do  injury  to  the  cause  of  God  and  truth. 

The  general  committee  continued  to  be  holden,  at 
the  ufual  time  of  year,  at  the  following  places,  viz. 
1 793  at  Muddy  creek  meeting houfe,  Powhatan  coun- 
ty. 1794  at  Winns' meeting  houfe,  Hanover  coun- 
ty. 1795  at  Roundabout  meeting  houfe,  Louifa 
county.  1796  at  Dupuy's  meeting  houfe,  Powha- 
tan county.  1 797  at  U  pper  King  &  Queen  meeting 
houfe.  King  &  Queen  county.  1 798  at  Buckingham 
Old  Church,  Buckingham  county.  1799  at  Waller's 
meeting  house,  Spottfylvania  county,  where  they 
agreed  to  diffolve.  During  this  period,  an  unreafon- 
able  jeaioufy,  of  their  exerciiing  too  much  power, 
was  often  manifefled,  both  by  affociations,  and  indi- 
viduals. This,  added  to  fome  other  causes,  produced 
a  gradual  declenfion  in  the  attendance  of  members, 
as  well  as  a  nervelefs  languor,  in  the  transadtion  of 
bufinefs.  The  remonftrance  refpe6ting  glebes,  &c.' 
was  the  only  bulinefs  which  excited  no  jeaioufies, 
and  that  was  the  only  matter  which  was  ever  com- 
pleted after  the  year  1792. 

The  bulinefs  refped:ing  a  Seminary  of  Learni?ig, 
was  in  1793,  committed  to  the  hands  of  the  Rev, 
John  Williams  and  Mr.  Thom.as  Read,  of  Charlotte, 
who  reported  the  following  plan  :    That -14  truftces 


86  HISTORY   OF   THE 

be  appointed,  all  of  whom  (hall  be  Baptifts  :  Tliat 
thefe  at  their  iiiTt  meeting,  appoint  seven  others  of 
ibme  other  religious  denomination  :  That  the  whole 
21,  then  form  a  plan,  and  make  arrangements  for  ex- 
ecuting it.  This  scheme  was  proceeded  in,  fo  far  as 
to  appoint  the  whole  of  the  truftees,  who  had  one  or 
two  meetings,  in  which  advances  were  made  towards 
maturing  the  plan.  But  appreheniive  that  they  fhould 
not  be  able  to  procure  fufficient  funds,  with  fome  other 
discouragements,  they  finally  abandoned  it. 

The  compilation  of  a  hiftory  of  the  Virginia  Bap- 
tiils,  having  been  committed  wholly  to  the  hands  of 
Mr.  Williams  after  Mr.  Leland's  removal^  he  had 
made  no  inconfiderable  progress  in  collecting  docu- 
ments, when  in  consequence  of  the  decline  of  his 
health,  he  found  himself  under  the  necessity  of  re- 
figning  his  truft.  This  he  did,  in  a  letter  to  the  gene- 
ral committee,  in  1 794.  The  committee  received  his 
refignation,  and  refolved  to  decline  it  for  the  prefent. 

The  laft  aft  of  the  general  committee  was  to  re- 
commend to  the  alTociations  to  form  a  plan  for  a  ge- 
neral meeting  of  correspondence,  to  promote  and  pre- 
serve union  and  harmony  among  the  churches.  Of 
which  meeting,  a  fliort  account  may  be  found  in  the. 
following  chapter. 


CilAPTEli  VIII. 

The  Origin  and  Uistory  of  the  General  Meding'  of  Cor- 
respondence, tiniil  the  jtrcscnt  time. 

May  1800.— Delegatesmet  at  Liles's  meeting  houfe 
from  'several  aflbciations,  for  the  double  purpose  of 
revifmg  the  confeffion  of  faith,  and  as  a  convention 
to  form  a  conllitution  for  a  general  meeting.  The 
bufmefs  was  committed  to  a  feledt  committee.  On 
Monday  morning,  the  conilitution  as  prepared  by  the 


GEStRAL  TtrBETlNG  OF  CORRESPONDENCE.  8T 

s"ele(5t  committee,  was  reported  and  received.     The 
great  jealoufy  which  had  been  expreffed  by  the  aflb- 
ciations  respeding  the  general   committee,  put  the 
Convention  so  much  upon  their  guard,  that  in  form- 
ing the  conftitution,  they  almofl  gave  them  nothing 
to  do.     '^i'heirbufinefs,  if  it  could  properl}^  be  called 
the  bufiness  of  a  meeting,  was  to  colled  and  publifh 
useful  pieces,  somewhat  in  the  nature  of  a  magazine, 
which  was  to  be  sold  to  defray  its  own  expence.    'I'he 
advantages  refulting  from  a  general  intercourle  of  the 
allbciations  in  Virginia,  were  fo  obvious,  that  its  friends 
were  willing  to  have  a  meeting,  upon  any  terms  which 
would  accomplifli  that  end.      It  must   have    been 
foreseen,  that  unless  they  could  be  employed  in  fome- 
thing  which  might  be  thought  beneficial,  the  meet- 
ings would  be  but  thinly  attended.     But  few  could  be 
found  willing  to  travel  long  distances,  without  hav- 
ing any  other  bufiness,  except  that  of  seeing  each 
other,  and  communicating  the  good  or  evil  tidings, 
which  every  one  brought  with  him.     Accordingly, 
the  meetings  were  attended,  but  by  few,   for  several 
years.     Only  three  aflbciations,  viz.   Dover,  Gofhen, 
and  Albemarle,  adopted  the  conftitution,  at  firft. — 
When  they  met  from  year  to  year,  nothing  being  pre- 
pared for  the  press,  little  else  was  done  than  to  re- 
gulate the  internal  concerns  of  the  meeting,  and  ap- 
point the  time  and  place  of  the  next.     So  dragged  on 
the  General  Meeting  of  Correspondence,  until  May 
1 807,  when  they  met  at  Buckingham  Old  Church,  in 
Buckingham  county.     Delegates  from  four  aflbcia- 
tions met  (Appommattox  having  fallen  in).     Like- 
wise the  Roanoak  fent  a  meliengerto  gun  informati- 
on, not  having  as  yet  determined.     This    meeting, 
finding  from  experience,  the  improbability  of  ever  car-- 
rying  the  firft  conftitution  into  eftt  dl,  resolved  to  form 
a  new  one  ;-^  such  as  they  in  their  judgments,  believed 
to  be  for  the  good  of  the  cause,  and  not  merely  with 

*  By  this  constitution  they  could  take  upnny  rnatter,  prcviouf;- 
ly  decided  on,  in  .my  ^tfibciaiior?-.  , 


88  HISTORY   OF    THE 

a  view  to  adapting  it  to  the  suspicious  minds  of  a  ^w 
leading  characters,  who  were  perhaps  adtuated  from 
upright,  though  miftaken  motives.  In  order  to  give 
full  time  for  the  inveftigation  of  this  new  conftitution, 
the  next  general  meeting  was  fixed  on  the  4th  Satur- 
day in  i.}(fl:ober  1808. 

Accordingly,  on  the  above  date,  the  General  Meet- 
ing aflembled  at  l>ethel  meeting  house,  in  Chester- 
field county.  Six  alTociations  had  adopted  the  new 
cotiftitution,  and  had  fent  their  delegates,  viz.  Dover 
.  Gofhen,  i\lbemarle,  Appomattox,  Roanakeand  Me-^ 
herrin. 

The  former  Moderator  being  abfent,  by  death,  Ro- 
bert B.  Semple  was  chofen  Moderator,  and  Reuben 
Ford,  Clerk. 

Ihe  general  meeting  took  up  the  following  bufi- 
nefs  :  The  propriety  of  offering  an  address  to  Mr. 
I'homas  Jefferfon,  Prefidentof  the  United  States,  who, 
having  ferved  his  country  faithfully  for  many  years, 
was  now  about  to  retire  from  public  life.  The  ad- 
dress was  unanimously  voted,  and  fent  on  ;  to  which 
the  President  returned  an  immediate  anfwer.  (See 
this  address  and  the  answer  in  Appendix.)  It  also  ap- 
peared from  some  late  publications,  that  the  Baptifts 
in  Virginia  had  been  misrepresented,  as  to  their  fen- 
timents  respecting  human  learning.  It  was  determin  • 
ed,  at  this  meeting,  to  rebut  this  calumny,  by  publiih- 
ing  a  few  remarks  on  that  subje<!i,  in  the  form  of  a 
circular  letter,  which  was  accordingly  done.  The 
Philadelphia  afibciation,  some  small  time  before  this, 
had  publiflied  their  centural  fermon.  The  author* 
of  which  had  written  on,  that  he  had  reserved  1 50 
or  200  copies  of  that  fermon,  for  the  disposal  of  the 
general  meeting,  as  a  present  to  them.  At  this  meet- 
ing, harmony  and  peace  reigned.  The  preaching 
and  the  public  exercises  generally,  appeared  to  have 
the  divine  fmiles.  It  was  an  encouraging  meeting, 
■^  Samuel  Jones, 


GENERAL  MEETING  OF  CORRESPONDENCE.  84f 

The  iiext  General  Meeting  of  Correspondence  was 
holden  at  rarwallet  meeting houfe,  Odober  a^th,  &c. 
1809.     Delegates  from  five  aflbciations  allembled.* 

'he  same  Moderator  and  Clerk  were  chosen  as 
last  year 

Two  subjedls  were  brought  forward  at  this  meet^- 
ing,  which  if  ever  matured,  muft  greatly  conduce  to 
the  future  happiness  of  the  Baptists,  as  a  religious  so- 
ciety. The  religious  education  of  children,  and  the 
eftablifhment  of  some  Seminary  or  public  school,  to 
aiiiil  young  preachers  to  acquire  literary  knowledge. 

The  firft  was  difpofed  of  by  recommending  to  pa- 
rents the  use  of  catechisms,  and  especially  one  lately 
publifhed,  for  the  use  of  the  Baptifl  society  -,  and  the 
other,  by  appointing  two  persons,  to  acquire  infor* 
mation,  and  digefl  a  plan  for  such  a  seminary. 

* TheConftitution  of  the  General  Meedng  of  Correspondence, 
had  now  been  adopted  bv  a  majority  of  aflbciations  in  the  ftate  ^ 
but,  from   feme  caufe,  leveral  failed  to  meet, 


M 


00  HISTORY   OF    THE 

TABLE  OF  THE  DOVER  ASSOCIATION. 


!^^ames  of 
Churches. 


Dovdr, 
Coociiland, 
ilopejuly 
Chickahominy 

Jlungry, 

City  of  Rich- 
mondi 

Boar  Swamp, 
/dur  Mile, 
Charles  Cily, 
Black  Creek, 
James  Cihj, 
Williamsburg, 
Grafton, 
Aamptcn, 
Reeds, 
TuckahOf 
Salem, 
f'  College, 


r4     P 

s  c 


1773 
1771 
1807 
1776 
1791 
1780 


1776 

1777 
1773 
1791 
1777 
1791 
1773 
1774 
1892 
1775 


5>'         B 


45 

75 

174 

50 

40 

14 


20 

12 

30 

330 

22 

90 

16 

88 
12 


275 

200 

180 

240 

100 

560 

90 

248 

217 

200 

96 

WO 

497 

305 

267 

219 

100 

250 


By  wliom 
planted. 


S.  I/arris,  J. 
Read,.!.  fVal 
ler  %•  others. 
S.  Harris,  J 

Read  and  J. 

Waller, 

Reuben  Ford. 

J.  Waller,  S. 

Harris,    J. 

Read. 

S.  Harris,  J. 

Read  and  J. 

Waller. 

J.  Morris. 
E.  Baker. 
E.  Baker. 
E.  Baker. 

J.  Clay. 

J.  Anthony  8( 
E.  Baker. 

G.  Pamphlet. 
E.  Baker. 
J.  Wrisht. 


Former 
pastors. 


W.  Webber. 
R.  Ford. 

li.  Ftrd. 

J.  Clay,  R. 
Ford  if  W- 
Jf'ebber. 
Severalsuj) 
plies, no  pas 
tor  at  first. 

J.  Morris. 

'iustin. 
J,  Lindsey, 

J.  Bradley^ 

W  Barnes, 
T.  Courtney 

J.  Goodall 
G  Pamphlet 
J.  Wrisht 


S.  Harris,  J.  j  y 
Read, 


L.  Craig. 
T.  Noel. 
J.  Youns. 


oung. 


./.  Shackle- 
ford. 

T.  Noel. 

./Courtney, 
W  Breding 


Present 
pastors. 


Ford. 
lord. 
Boivlest 
Reynolds 
Courtney 

Lindsey, 
Clapton. 
Turner. 


Caylc, 
Hurst. 
Self 
Sorrel. 


Counties. 


Goochland 

do. 
Hanover. 

do. 
Henricc. 

do. 

da. 

do. 

Charles  Ci 
ty. 

New-Kent 
&  Hanover 

James  City 

do. 

York  and 
Warwick; 

Elizabeth 
Citj'. 

Caroline. 
do. 
do. 


King  WiV 
ham. 


DOVER    ASSOCIATION. 


9JL 


Names  of 
Churcliss. 


3  o 


jL.  College, 

1792 

Upper  King 
and  Queen, 

177-4 

Bruinglon, 

1790 

Exol, 

1775 

Leiver  King 
^'  Queen, 

1772 

Pocorone, 

:807 

Upper  Essex, 

1772 

.Piscataivat/, 

i77  4 

Glebe  landing 

1772 

Hermitage, 

1789 

Zoar, 

18G8 

Gloucester, or 
jPettsworth, 

1790 

Abingdon, 

1801 

Matheius, 

1775 

Hanover, 

1789 

T^omont/, 

1786 

Furnham, 

1790 

lYicomozo, 

1804 

Moratico, 

1778 

10{; 

25 

150 

GO 

17 

100 

40 

11 

30 

346 

loo 

88 
200 

93 
17 
80 
20 
14 


310 

257 

800 

228 

147 

92 

280 

229 

284 

23G 

99 

283 

26; 

430 

256 

875 

261 


By  whom 

planted. 


J.  Courtney 
and  others. 


Former 
pastors. 


/.  Mill 


Present 
pastors. 


Counties 


L.  Craig.         T.  Pitts. 
J.  Qreemvood 
J,  Waller. 


R.  B.  Sam- 
ple. 


J.  Waller. 
R.  Ware. 
L.  Craig. 
J.  Waller. 
J.  Waller. 
J.  Waller. 
J,  Mullin. 
I.  Lewis, 
I.  Letvis. 

I.  Leivis. 

J.  Shackle- 
^ord  8{  others. 

H.  Toler  and 
L.  Lunsford. 

J.  Greemvood 
8e  W.  Mullin. 

fj.  Lunsford, 
L.  Lunsford. 


1.  Lewis. 
R.  Ware. 
J.  Healey. 

T.  A'oel. 

J.  Green- 
tvood. 

W.  Mullin. 

J.  Mtillin, 
J.  Healey. 

D.  Corey. 

R  Hudgins, 
fV  Lemon. 

R.  Stacy. 

7).  Tinsley, 
J,  Gage. 

J,  Davis. 

H.  Toler. 

W.  Mullin, 
IS.  Philips. 

S  Straughn 

L  Lunsford 
Sf  J  Creath 


T.  Mill. 

T.  Noel. 

R.  B.  Scm- 
pie. 

I.  Letvis. 
W.  Todd, 

J.  Healey. 

Various 
supplies. 

J.  Green- 
wood. 

J,  Letvis. 


R.  Stacy. 
W.  FitcTiet. 
J.  Davis, 
H,  Toler. 

SStraughn 

S  Straughn 


King  and 
QiUeen. 

do. 
do. 

do. 
do. 

Essex. 

do. 

Essex  and 
Middlesex. 

dp. 
MiddleiJex, 
Gloucester 

do. 
Mathews, 

K.  Ccprge. 

Weftmore* 

land. 

Richmond. 

Northum- 
berland. 

LaBcaster. 


The  blanks  in  the  7th  column  mean,  no  Pastor.     In  aW  the  rest  they  mean, 
th  at  the  matter  was  unknown. 


92  HISTORY   OF    THE 

In  the  above  and  all  the  tables  of  the  airociationa, 
there  are  a  few  cafes,  in  which  no  pofitive  information 
could  be  had  ;  particularly  relpeding  the  time  of  the- 
conftitution  of  cl^urches,  and  their  number  at  con- 
flitution.  In  fuch  cafes,  our  informants  made  their 
iiatements  to  the  befl  of  their  recoUedlion. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

The  History  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Dover  Assaciatir 
on,  from  the  division  of  the  General  Association,  until 
the  j.resent  time 

In  ourhillory  of  the  General  Aflbciation,  the  rea- 
der will  fino,  that  in  1783,  they  divided  mto  four  dif- 
tritiSj  of  which  two  were  on  the  South,  and  two  on 
thn  North  fide  of  James  iiiver,  called  the  Lower  and 
Upper  Dillrids,  &c.  fixing  the  boundaries  on  the 
North  fide,  from  Manakin  Town,  on  James  River,  in 
a  fb'aight  hne  by  Irederickiburg  to  the  Potomack, 
The  two  on  the  North  fide,,  it  appears,  agreed  to  meet 
together  once  a  year,  and  to  hold  befides,  one  fepa* 
rate  feffion  in  each  diftri^ft. 

The  minutes  for  1784  and  1785,  have  not  been 
procured.* 

In  November  1786,  they  met  at  Ground  Squirrel 
meeting  houfe,  in  Hanover  county.  Wm.  Webber 
was  chofen  Moderator,  and  Reuben  Ford,  Clerk. -f- 

The  only  bulinefsot  general  application  tranfac^ed 
at  this  feffion,  was  the  folution  of  the  following  query : 

**  How  is  ordmation  legally  performed?" 

Answer. — -**  A  presbi/terij  of  minifi^rs  are  fulhf  em~ 
powered,  to  ordain  any  faithful  tnan  properly  reeoni" 
mGJided,  z^hom  they  /hall  judge  able  to  teach  others ; 
and  that  iinimftersjhall  be  jabjeH  to  minijiers,  with  re- 
gard to  their  call  to  the  minijtry,  and  the  doBrine  they 
preach.  The  church  zi'here  the  minijier  is  a  member, 
fkall  take  cognizance  of  his  moral  character,'* 

*  It  ismucli  to  be  ics^ietled,  that  iu>  record  book  was  kept,  as  to  the  pro- 
ceedings el  the  asbuciation  about  this  time. 

f  Mr.  Webber  discliargfd  the  duty  of  moderator  Irom  this  time  until  the 
Session  bel'ore  his  death.     Mr.  Reuben  Ford  is  still  clerk  to  the  association. 


DOVER    ASSOCIATION,  03"' 

This  decifion,  though  founded  in  reafon  and  fcrip- 
ture,  gave  umbrage  to  fome,  who  indulged  flrong 
jealoulies  refpe(5ling  minifterial  influence,  and  who 
held,  that  a  call  from  a  church  was  fufficient  ordina- 
tion. In  confequence  of  this  oppofition,  the  fubjeft 
was  again  introduced  into  the  Dover  Affociation,  in 
the  year  1792  :  to  our  hiftory  of  v/hich,  the  reader  is 
referred. 

OBobcr  I2thy  1787. — They  met  again  at  the  Facflo- 
ryinWeftmoreland county.  Letters  from  21  church- 
es were  received.  Many  local  matters  were  taken 
up  and  decided.  The  preaching  at  this  alTociation, 
was  warm  and  heart-fearching.  Some  Vv^ho  were 
there,  speak  of  it  as  a  very  precious  feafon.  Such  is 
always  the  cafe,  v/hen  God  is  about  to  revive  his 
work. 

October  Sd,  I788. — The  next  and  lafl  feffion  of  the 
united  dillridfs,  v/as  at  Burrufs's  meeting  houfe,  in 
Caroline  county.  21  churches  correfponded.  After 
attending  to  a  great  deal  of  local  bufinefs,  they  agreed 
to  finally  divide.*  To  the  i^ower  Diftriifl  they 
agreed  to  attach  the  name  Dover  j  and  Orange  to  the 
L'pper 

Maff  16",  1789. — The  Dover  affociation  met  at  Up- 
per King  and  Queen  meeting  houfe.  Letters  were  re- 
ceived irom  21  churches.  This  being  the  time  of  the 
great  revival,  almofl  throughout  the  diftrid;,  the  let- 
ters teemed  with  the  moft  glorious  intelligence.  This 
aiTociation  v/as  attended  by  preacners  from  various 
quarters  of  the  Hate.  Their  labours  by  day  and  by 
night,  were  abundantly  blcifed.  The  fouls  of  faints 
were  comforted,  and  many  very  many  linners,  were 
won  over  to  Ch rift.  It  was  a  bleifedtime.  At  tins 
aiTociation,  as  well  as  at  feveral  before  and  after  tiiis, 
the  perplexing  queftion  with  regard  to  the  marriage 
of  flaves,  waa  introduced.  The  allbciation  refoived, 
that  the  ftate  of  the  flaves  of  Virginia,  was  of  fo  fm- 

*  The  Lower  Diftri6i  held  feveral  meetings  fep:trate  from  the 
other  i  but  ihey  wers  thinly  attended,  and  but  littlle  was  done. 


04-  HISTORY    OP    THL 


gulai  and  delicate  a  nature,  that  no  general  rule  could 
apply.  Thev,  therefore,  advifed  the  churches  to 
adapt  their  proceedings,  to  the  nature  of  each  cafe,  in 
the  moft  prudent  way. 

OBober  i6th,  ly^g. — ^The  aflbciation  met  at  Kil- 
marnock meeting  houfe,  in  Lancafter  county,  ly 
churches  correfponded  by  letters,  in  which,  very  re- 
frefhing  news  is  communicated.  The  revival  was 
{kill  progreffing.  Many  hundreds  had  been  baptized 
in  the  course  of  the  year. 

No  bufinels  of  importance  was  entered  upon. 

Maj/  ijl,  1790. — They  met  at  I3oar  Swaixip  meet- 
ng  houfe,  Henrico  county.  Letters  from  ig  church- 
es were  received.  The  revival,  it  appeared  from  the 
letters,  had  fubfided  in  a  conliderable  degree.  I'he 
preaching  and  the  religious  exerciles  at  this  afibciation, 
was  exceedingly  pleafant  to  the  pious,  who  were  pre- 
fent. 

A  matter  which  had  produced  confiderable  confu- 
(  ijon  infome  parts  of  the  allbciation,  was  now  conli- 
dered,  viz  :  tVlicther  baptism  was  valid,  when  admi- 
niflered  hi/  an  unordained  pcrfon.  To  v/hich  the  af- 
fociation  replied  :  That,  in  cafes  wliere  the  ordinance 
had  been  admini/iered,  in  afolemn  and  religious  man- 
ner,  that  it  might  be  conjidered  as  valid ,  and  that  per ^ 
Jons  jo  baptized y  might  be  admitted  as  members  of  a 
church,  upon  hearing  and  approving  their  eiperi- 
en  re, 

October  gth,  1790. — They  met  at  Diamond  meet- 
ing houfe  in  ElTex  county.  Letters  from  29  church- 
es were  received,  which  fpeak  of  pleasant  times. 

The  only  hufmefs  of  a  permanent  nature,  tranfadt- 
ed  at  this  aiTociation,  was  the  decifion  of  the  folio w- 
inif  query : 

Is  a  mimftex  in  duty  bound  to  ferve  a  church  who 
do  n^t  fupport  him  ? 

Artswered  in  the  negative. 

The  corrcdnefs  of  thi?  decifion  has  fmce  been 
much  ouefi.ioned. 


BOVER  ASS0CIATI01S-.  95 

Is  the  union  of  paftor  and  church,  merely  a  contrail: 
between  them  as  parties  ?  If  it  is,  then  the  decifion  is 
corre^lt:  but,  if  the  aiTuming  the  pailoral  care  of  i 
church,  partakes  of  the  nature  of  a  vow  to  God,  as 
well  as  a  contmO:  with  the  church,  then  the  minifter 
is  bound  to  difcharge  the  duties  of  a  paftor,  until  he 
has  fatisfadory  evidence,  that  God  has  exempted  hini 
fromfuch  duties  ;  and  deiigns  him  for  fome  other  place. 
The  noa-compenfation  of  minifterial  fervices,  is  not 
fufficient  proofs  that  God  does  not  will  his  further  la- 
bours in  fuch  ai^lace  :  Seeing,  many  miniilers  have 
been  highly  favoured  of  God,  in  places,  where  they 
have  received  little  or  no  compenlation  from  their 
hearers.  The  befl  conclufion  therefore,  is,  that  al- 
though the  church  is  cenfurable  for  withholding  from 
the  paflor  his  juft  right,  yet  the  paftor  is  bound  to 
God ;  and,  has  his  promife,  that  he  that  trujis  in  him, 
JJiall  want  no  good  thing. 

The  circular  letter  on  juftification,  by  Mr.  Toler, 
was  much  approved,  and  was  ordered  to  be  printed 
with  the  minutes.  This  is  the  firfl  inflance  of  the 
minutes  of  this  affociation  being  printed. 

OBiber  }^th,  1791. — Purfuant  to  appointment,  the 
aflbciation  met  at  Kingilon  meeting  houfe,  Mathews 
county  *  Lotters  from  2?  churches  were  received. 
They  give  no  plealing  accounts  of  revivals,  but  hold 
forth  a  If  ate  of  peace  and  tranquility,  among  the  church, 

October  i^th,  1792. — The  affociation  met  at  Bru~ 
ington  meeting  houfe.  King  and  Queen  county.  Let- 
ters from  25  churches  were  received.  By  them  it  ap- 
peared, that  in  Dover  diftridt,  the  harveft  was  pail, 
and  the  Summer  ended.  Coldlefs  and  languor,  were 
generally  complained  of.  The  great  revival  had  now 
lublided,  and  the  axe  of  difcipline  was  laid  at  the  root 
of  the  tree.  Many  barren  and  fruitlefs  trees,  were  al- 
ready cut  down.  In  many  of  the  churches,  the  num- 
ber excluded,  furpailed  the  number  received  The  af- 
fociation, however,  was  full.  Great  crowds  attend- 
*  Now  called  Mathews  meeting  houlo. 


90  HISTORY  OF   TilE 

cd  the  preaching  ;  and,  it  was  doubtlefs  a  happy  fea- 
fon  to  God's  children. 

Among  other  bufincfs  of  Icfs  note,  the  fubje6t  of 
the  ordination  of  elders  or  church-officers,  was  ta- 
ken up  at  this  afTociation.  A  quelHon  had  been  agi- 
tated for  fome  years,  whether  ordination  ourrht  to  be 
bif  the  impojition  of  the  hands  of  a  presbi/terif,  or 
plurality  vf  elders  (the  mode  comtiionly  praiftised  in 
Virginia),  or,  whether  a  solemn  call  from  a  church 
was  not  sufficient. 

On  the  part  of  the  advocates  of  c^dination,  with- 
out the  impolition  of  hands,  it  was  argued,  that 
churches  were  acknowledged  to  be  independent,  but  if 
they  could  not  obtain  the  full  fervwes  of  a  minifier, 
unlefs  he  had  been  previously  examined  and  ordained 
by  a  presbytery,  their  independence  zcas  Jo  far  dcS" 
troyid ;  that  churcfies  were  better  judges,  what  gifts 
zcoiiid  fuH  them,  tlian  presbyteries  could  be  ;  that  tlie 
impojition  of  liands  mentioned  in  the  fcripiure,  was 
zmth  a  view  to  miraculous,  and  not  common  gifts  ;  and 
lajily,  tliat  it  had  the  appearance,  of  being  governed 
too  much,  by  forms. 

To  thefe  arguments,  it  was  anfwered,  that  the  new 
tcjiamcnt  didjurely  JanBion  tlie  practice  of  laying  on 
of  hands,  in  fome  cafes,  where  no  miraculous  conle^ 
quences  did  enfue :  tliat,  although  tJie  impojition  of 
hands  was  a  form,  yet  it  was  a  Jignificant  Jorm,  ufed 
in  all  ages  of  tlie  Chrijlian  church,  for  tJic  purpofe  of 
confecrating,  or  letting  ajide  perjonsjor  Jioly  offices : 
that  baptijm  and  tlie  Lord's  supper  were  aljo  eiternal 
forms,  but  being  fignificant,  and  fanctioned  by  the^ 
word  oj  infpiration,  tliey  were  owned  and  blejjed  to 
the  church  :  tliat  is  was  true  that  churclies  were,  and 
ought  to  be  indepi  ndent ,  to  a  proper  extent ;  but  this 
independence  did  not  autlwrise  ilieni  to  ordain  officers, 
contrary  to  revelation,  unless  they  were  independent 
of  God  also  :  that  no  minister  or  deacon,  was  imposed 
upon  them  but  by  their  own  consent :  that  aliliougli  a 
church  might  judge  better   than  a  presbytery  zcliat 


DOVER  association:^.  9f 

fuited  he?',  it  was  not  rcaionahlt    that  thofe  nho  had 
not  cxcrcifed  apuhin  g>tt,Jhuuld   he  jo  cotripetent  lo 
judge  of  public  gifts,  as  tkoje  who  had. 

After  the  fubje(5l  had  been  inveftigated  for  years, 
at  different  times,  and  in  different  ways,  it  was  final- 
ly decided  in  this  affbciation,  in  favour  of  the  impofi- 
tion  of  hands.  After  this,  very  little  was  ever  said 
about  it. 

The  purchafe  of  lottery  tickets  was  confidered  by 
this  affbciation  as  a  fpecies  of  gaming,  and  not  suf- 
ferable  in  members  of  churches. 

Otioher  V2th,  j793.— 'J'hey  met  at  Glebe  Landing 
meeting  houfe  in  Middlefex.  Moff;  of  the  letters  com- 
plained of  cold  times.  The  only  buffnefs  of  a  gene- 
ral nature,  which  occupied  their  attention,  was  the 
recommending,  that  rules  for  family  discipline  and 
the  inftrudiion  of  youth,  ffiould  be  formed.  This, 
however,  has  never  as  yet,  gone  fully  into  operation. 
It  was  at  this  feflion,  that  a  church,  in  the  city  of  Wil- 
liamsburg, composed  wholly  of  black  people,  or  ra- 
ther people  of  colour,  was  admitted  into  the  affbcia- 
tion. They  have  continued  everffnce,  to  fend  their 
delegates.  It  was  in  this  year,  that  the  peitiiential 
fever  prevailed,  to  fuch  a  diftreffing  extent,  in  the  ci- 
ty of  Philadelphia.  The  aff^bciation,  believing  it  to 
be  a  judgment  of  God,  appointed  a  day  of  faffing 
and  prayer,  to  deprecate  his  wrath. 

At  this  allociation,  the  preaching  was  uncommon- 
ly animating  ;  the  buffneis  was  conduced  with  much 
harmony,  and  all  parties  pleafed  with  the  interview, 
separated  from  each  other,  in  love  and  peace.  The 
circular  letter  w^as  written  by  Mr.  Lunsford,  on  the 
covenant  of  grace. 

October  nth,  1794 — They  again  met  at  Nomini 
meeting  hbufe,  \\  eilmoreland  county,  according  to 
appointment.  jS'othing  of  affngularor  general  na- 
ture, was  tranfad-ed  at  this  time.  The  letter  laid  no- 
thing of  a  revival^  but  of  the  contrary.  The  preach- 
ing, debates,  converiation,  &c.  were  all  apparently 

N 


QH  MISTUKY    OF     xllK 

calculated,  to  do  permanent  good,  as  v/ell  as  to  admi- 
niiler  immediate  gratification.  It  was  a  fealt  to  the 
Lord's  family,  i  he  circular  letter  was  written  on 
the  Nature  of  AiTociations,  fro;n  which,  a  quotation 
l^as  been  already  made  in  page  42. 

Ociobtrioth,  1795 — The  next  fefllon  was  at  Four 
MileCreekm.eetinghoufe,  lienrico  county.  Nobu- 
fmefs  was  transacted  worthy  of  notice,  hrom  firfl  to 
lad  of  the  meeting,  ev^ery  thing  went  on  agreeably. 
The  circular  letter  was  written  by  ]'  Ider  Reuben 
Tord,  on  the  duty  of  miniilers,  deacons  and  church- 
es. The  writing  the  circular  letter  on  this  lubjeit, 
arofe  from  this  circumilance  :  A  very  worthy  and 
ufeful  mmifter,  had  undertaken  to  difcharge  feme 
public  onice,  by  which,  he  was  much  hindered  from 
his  minillerial  duties.  It  was  fuppofed,  that  the  rea-  . 
fonable  demands  of  his  family,  made  it  nece/lary, 
having  been  negledted  by  the  church.  Tne  letter 
\vas  compofed  with  a  viev/  to  ftimulate  churches,  mi- 
niilers  and  deacons,  to  a  regular  performance  of  their 
duties  to  each  other.  'J'he  ncxz  allbciation  v/as  ap- 
pointed at  the  Lower  College  meeting  hcufe  in  King 
William  county. 

October  Slh,  1796. — Met  agreeable  to  appointment- 
Nothin?  important  was  attended  to.  'ihere  was  no 
angry  diiputation,  no  whifperings,  no  parties ;  but, 
after  friendly  debates,  there  were  mofl  commonly 
unanimaus  decilions.  The  circular  letter  w^as  com- 
pofed upon  the  religious  education  of  children,  which 
subjedt  was  alfo  taken  up,  upon  the  following  query  : 

Unio  ought  the  religious  education  of  children,  to 
he  conducted  ?  Which  received  the  following 

Answer. — Bi/ the  uje  of  catechijms ;  and  we  re-- 
.  commend  Jor  the  prejtnt,  fuch  as  maij  be  judged  ufe- 
Jul 

A  committee  was  alfo  appointed  to  compofe  a  fui- 
table  one,  for  the  ufe  of  the  members  of  the  alTociation. 
^he  next  afTociation  was  appointed  at  Beilland  meet- 
ing houfe,  in  ElTex  CQunty. 


DOVEH    ASSOCCIATIt>N.  99 

OBoher  j/\.ih,  1796. — Met  agreeable  to  appointment.. 
Elder  John  Leland,  frorh  New  England,  attended. 
His  preaching  and  converfation  at  this  affociation, 
was  highly  entertaining,  as  well  as  inflruding,  ef- 
pecially  to  young  and  inepxerienced  minifters.  At 
this  leflion,  nothing  but  bulinefs  of  a  local  nature, 
called  their  attention.  The  circular  letter  for  this  af- 
fociation, was  written  by  Elder  [\euben  Ford,  with- 
out any  appointed  fubjed:.  The  aifociation  met  in 
peace,  continued  in  love,  and  parted  with  sorrow 
and  hope. 

October  IStli,  1798. — Th^^Ilext  aflbciation  met  at 
Mathews  meetinghoufe,  Mathews  county,  according 
to  appointmcn  •  'i  he  letters  did  not  detail  any  thing 
•very  intereiting.  The  bulinefs  was  altogether  local, 
except  as  to  the  following 

Query.  fJhat  is  the  opinion  of  the  affociation,  coji- 
cerning  the  wajhing  the  faints   feet  ? 

Answer.  We  do  not  conjider  the  zvafJiing  of  feet,  an 
ordina/bce  of  the  gofpel,  but  an  act  of  entertainment, 
gnd  being  a  fervdc  aB,  appears  to  have  been  enjoined 
hij  Chrijty  to  be  ohferved  bi/  his  difciples,  as  a  token  of 
humUity,  and  may  include  any  other  aS,  ujually  per- 
forined  by  fercants, 

1  he  circular  letter  v/as  written  upon  the  fubjecl  of 
Fafls.  As  ufual,  it  was  a  time  of  love  to  God  s  peo- 
ple. The  next  aflbciation  was  appointed  at  Hickory 
JN eck meeting houfe,  James  City  county. 

OStober  12///,  1799- — They  met  according  to  ap- 
pointment. The  letters  of  correipondence,  seemed 
now  to  aitord  more  pleaiing  accounts.  The  day-ftar 
began  to  dawn.  Great  revivals  were  in  embryo.  The 
place  of  this  meeting  was  inconvenient  to  a  majority 
of  the  churches.  In  consequence  of  which,  tiiere 
was  not  fo  full  a  reprefentation  of  the  churches,  as  at 
forne  other  affociations.  it  was  alio  thougl;\t,  that 
the  congregations  were  not  fo  large,  as  they  ufually 
are  on  fuch  occalions.  The  bufinels  of  the:  ailociati- 
gn,  which  was  entirely  local,  was  however,  conducted 


100  ins  TORY    OF    Tilt 

harmonioufly.  The  circular  letter  was  written,  on 
the  connexion  between  paftors  and  churches.  The 
nexr  aflbciation,  was  appointed  at  Nuckol's  meeting 
houfe,  (joochland  county. 

October  1  \th,  l8()f).-  -They  met  according  to  ap- 
pointment. Good  news  and  glad  tidings,  now  falu- 
ted  the  ears  and  hearts  of  the  pious.  Glorious  revi- 
vals were  fpoken  of  in  mod  of  the  letters.  So  plea- 
fing  was  the  information,  that  the  aiibciation  rcfolved 
to  decline  printing,  for  the  prefent,  the  circular  letter 
written  by  the  diredions  of  thf  lafl  alTociation,  and 
now,  to  craw  up  an  account  of  the  revival,  which 
was  accordingly  done.  Nothing  lingular  or  general, 
was  tranfacted  at  this  allbciation.  it  was  a  time  of 
life,  love  and  peace,  i  he  next  alTociation  appointed 
at  Matapony  meeting  houfe.  King  and  Queen  county, 

OStobet  iU//?,  1801. — They  met  according  to  ap- 
pointment. From  the  letters  it  was  learned,  that  the 
revivals  fpoken  of  laft  year,  were  flill  gloriouily  go- 
ing on,  and  fome  new  ones  begun.  At  this  allbcia- 
tion, the  pre.:ching  and  other  religious  employments, 
feemed  to  have  lingular  effedls.  The  fouis  at  chrif- 
tians  were  enlivened,  and  although  for  many  years, 
the  allbciation,  at  all  her  meetings,  had  experienced 
uninterrupted  harmony  and  peace,  it  muft  be  admit- 
ted that  the  religious  enjoyment  at  this,  rather  fur- 
palTed  that  of  any  other. — A  good  deal  of  local,  but 
no  general  bulinels,  occupied  the  attention  of  the  af- 
fociation  The  circular  letter  was  written,  upon  the 
ufe  and  abufe  of  fpirituous  liquors.  The  reafon  for 
taking  up  this  fubjedt,  is  obvious  to  any  who  know 
the  Hate  of  civil  fociety.  The  next  allbciation  was 
appointed  at  Nomini  meeting  houfe,  Wellmoreland 
county. 

Ociobei'  Qtfi,  1802. — They  met  according  to  ap- 
pointment. By  the  letters  it  appeared,  that  the  re- 
vivals, in  fome  places,  were  rather  on  the  decline  ; 
in  others,  new  ones  commencing.  Upon  the  whole, 
the  caufe  of  godlmels  was  progrefling.     At  this  ^f~ 


DO:.VER  ASSOCIATIOJJJ  XOX 

Ibciatlon,  an  attempt  was  made  to  eftabliili  an  uni- 
formity among  the  churches,  in  holding  their  church 
meetings.  Some  churches  admitted  to  their  ciiurch 
meetings,  even  fordiicipUne  and  government,  all  the 
members  of  the  church,  male  and  female  bond-free, 
young  and  old.  Others  admitted  all  male  members, 
whether  slaves  or  free.  By  experience,  this  plan  v/as 
found  valliy  inconvenient.  Ths  degraded  ftate  of  the 
minds  of  slaves,  rendered  them  totally  incompetent 
to  the  task  of  judging  corredly  refped:ing  the  buli- 
nefs  of  the  church,  and  in  many  churches,  there  was 
a  majority  of  slaves  :  in  confequence  of  which, 
great  cohfulion  often  arofe.  The  affociation  at  Ma- 
tapony  direded,  that  the  fubjed  iliould  be  treated  on 
in  a  circular  letter.  The  letter  argued  and  advifed, 
that  although  all  members  were  entitled  to  the  pri- 
vileges, yet,  that  none  but  free  male  members,  (hould 
exercifeany  authority  in  the  church.  The  alTociati- 
on,  after  fome  debate,  fandiioned  the  plan  by  a  large 
majority.  Nomini  meeting  houfe  ifands  in  the  Northern 
neck,  quite  inconvenient  for  a  majority  of  the  church- 
es. The  allbciation  was  of  courfe  not  fo  full  as  ufual, 
but  as  usual  it  was  an  agreeable  time.  The  next  af- 
fociation  was  appointed  at  King  and  Queen  meeting 
houfe.  King  and  Queen  county. 

OStoher  Sth,  1803. — Met  according  to  appointment. 
By  the  letters  we  learn,  that  in  fome  churches,  times 
v/ere  very  pleaiing;  but,  in  others,  very  much  the 
reverfe.  A  fubjeCt,  long  a  matter  of  debate,  among 
the  Baptiils  of  Virginia,  was  debated  and  fettled  at 
this  afTociation,  viz.  T/iq  propriety  of  preaching  fu- 
7ieral  sermons  A  query  had  been  introduced  into 
the  aflbciation,  the  year  before,  and  it  was  made  the 
fubjed:  of  the  circular  letter.  The  fentiments  of  the 
letter  were,  that  preaching  funeral  fermons,  and  fu- 
neral ceremonies,  generally,  were  matters  of  perfecft 
indifference,  and  could  have  neither  good  nor  evil  in 
them.  But,  that  things  of  indifference,  could  be 
turned  by  bad  men,  to  bad  piirpofes,  and  it  was  equal;^ 


102  irtSTORY    OP   THE 

\y  obvious,  that  good  men,  when  it  was  in  their  pow- 
er, could  and  ought  to  diredt  them  to  good  purpofeSr 
That  the  gofpei  ought  to  be  preached  on  all  occaiions, 
when  there  was  a  hope  of  its  doing  good.  'J  hat 
preaching  over  the  dead,  was  a  kind  of  invitation  to 
go  to  the  houfe  of  mourning,  where  the  living  might 
lay  It  to  heart :  These,  with  feme  other  arguments 
of  lefs  weight,  feemed  to  clear  up  moll  of  the  doubts. 
The  letter  was  received  with  an  almoft  unanimous 
vote,  in  this  ailbciation,  an  animated  debate  took 
place,  on  the  propriety  of  passing  church  cenfures, 
upon  members  who  will  not  contribute  a  reaionable 
proportion  to  the  expences  of  the  church.  -The  de- 
cifion  was,  that  no  cenfure  onght  to  pafs  on  that  ac- 
count. The  fubje(fl  was,  however,  refumed  the 
ensuing  year,  and  the  decifion  was  given  in  the  foK 
lowing  words  : 

"  We  never  doubted  but  that  according  to  the  gospel, 
it  vras  the  duty  of  every  member  of  the  church  to  con- 
tribute to  the  exigence  of  the  church,  according  as  the 
Lord  had  prosjjered  him ;  but  we  supposed  it  might  be 
productive  of  disagreeable  consequences,  if  the  cnurch 
undertook  to  judge  of  the  abilities  of  members,  and  to 
censure  or  approve  them." 

'  At  this  alTociation,  times  were  agreeable,  fo  far  as 
refpedled  religious  employments  -,  but  the  happmefs 
of  many,  was  fomewhat  lefiened,  by  a  practice  which 
had  long  prevailed,  more  or  lefs,  at  affociations  and 
great  meetings,  but  which  here  arofe  to  a  very  dif- 
tressing  height,  viz.  ThefeUing  of  fpirihwus  liquors, 
hi/  wicked  and  worthlefs  pa'/ons;  in  confequence  of 
which,  many  who  were  so  lifiprincipled  and  wicked, 
as  not  to  reflrain  them.selves,  became  intoxicated,  and 
of  courfe  diforderly.  Warned  by  thefe  events,  mea-» 
fures  have  been  taken  by  the  alfociation,  Unce  the 
above  period,  to  prevent  fuch  abufes,  and  they  have 
been  as  fuccefsful  as  could  be  expe6ted,  in  fucn  a  cafe. 
The  next  ailbciation  was  appointed  at  iqur  Mile 
Creek  meeting  house,  Henrico  couui.y» 


DOVER   A5S0CIAtIOl>f.  lOl^ 

OBoher  13^/^,  i>04.— They  met  according  to  ap- 
pointment.    From  the  letters,  it  appears  that  no  re- 
vival exifled  in  any  cliurch;  but  from    fome,  there 
were  coniiderabie  exped:ations.     Several  matters  of  . 
a  general  and  important  nature,  occupied  the  attenti* 
on  of  the  aiTociation  at  this  meeting,  viz.  **  ilic  con* 
Jei/ionof  faith;"    '^  ilic  Hijionj   of  the   Baptifh  in 
Virginia  ;"  *^i he  appointment  of  Union  Meetings;'^ 
and    **  A  Remonftrance  againji    a  lazv  of  Virginia, 
refpeEtmg  mgkt  meetings,"     AH  of  which,  v/ill   be 
noticed  in  other    pi  ces  of  this  work.     About  this 
time,  the  Baptiils  i:i  this  afTociation,  received  a  griev- 
ous wound  in  th"  wretched  apoftacy  of  one  Thomas 
Bridges,  who  had  beeu  a  preacher  of  fome  celebrity, 
but  was  now  convi<fled  and  fent  to  the  penitentiary, 
for  horse  llealing.     The   friends  of  Zion  mourned,, 
not  because  the  foundation  of  God  was  Ihaken,    or 
could  be  fhiken,  but  becaufe  the  caufe  of  truth  was 
too  plaufibly.   though  fallaciously  reproached.     To 
obviate  the  evil  as  much  as  possible,  the  circular  let- 
ter was  written  upon  the  fubje<5t  of  Heligious  Apos- 
tacy.     It  was  thought  that  good  effecfts  arofe  from  it. 
The  next  aUociation   was   appointed  at   ijruington 
meeting  houfe,  K  ing  and  Queen  county. 

October  12th,  1S05. — They  met  according  to  ap- 
pointment. By  the  letters  of  correfpondence,  the 
afTociation  was  informed  of  great  and  good  nev/s,  from 
several  parts.  In  moil  of  the  churches,  in  the  lower 
end  of  the  diitrift  between  Rappahannock  and  James 
River,  there  v/ere  previous  revivals.  In  some,  seve- 
ral hundreds  had  been  baptized.  The  preaching;, 
and  other  religious  exercises  at  the  aiibciation,  v/erc 
correspondent  with  this  heavenly  news.  It  was  a 
time  of  feafting  upon  fat  things.  No  bufiness  whatr 
ever,  of  a  singular  pnd  general  nature,  was  transad- 
ed ;  except  that  some  attention  was  paid  to  the  his- 
tory, noticed  in  tlie  hil.  Idder  Tolcr,  according  to 
appointment,  produced  a  m.oii:  excellent  circular  let- 
ter on  the  subjed:  of  Brotherly  Love,    ^lie  next  af- 


i.6l  tnsiOl^V    01     T1!L 

fociation  was  appointed  at  Grafton  meeting  lioufe, 
York  county. 

Ociobe?'  iithy  1806. — They  met- according  to  ap- 
pointment. Information  was  received  by  the  letters, 
that  a  great  and  glorious  work  of  God  was  going  on 
in  the  Northern  Neck.  Mofl  of  the  churches  in  that 
quarter  participated,  more  or  lefs  ;  but  t^  omini,  un- 
der the  care  of  Mr.  'I'oler,  was  fuperlatively  favoured. 
The  bulinefs  w^hich  occupied  the  attention  of  the 
ailbciation,  was  altogether  local.  The  alibciation  was 
not  fo  full  as  usual,  being  in  an  eccentric  place  j  but 
thofe  that  did  go,  faid  it  was  good  for  them  that  they 
were  there.  The  circular  letter  was  written  on  the 
place  and  objed  of  good  works.  The  next  aflb- 
ciation  was  appointed  at  Ware's  meeting  houfe.  King 
and  Queen  county,  which,  on  account  of  the  prelTure 
of  bulinefs,  v/as  appointed  to  hold  four  days. 

OBober  iith,  1807. — Iheymet  accordmg  to  ap- 
pointment. No  new  revivals  are  fpoken  of  in  any 
of  the  letters.  In  fome  places,  where  revivals  had 
been,  a  few  years  pad,  they  fpeak  ofdiilrefling  times: 
That  the  love  of  many,  v/as  waxing  cold.  There 
muft  be  a  fanning  time,  as  well  as  a  harveft  time. 
The  ailbciation,  according  to  lall  years  appointment, 
continued  their  meeting  four  days.  Some  bulinefs 
of  a  general,  and  much  of  a  local  nature,  occupied 
their  attention. 

The  year  1 806,  was  a  year  of  great  drougth,  and 
crops  of  corn  were  uncomm.only  fcanty  -,  infomuch, 
that  many  poor  people  fuffered  for  the  necessaries  of 
life.  In  the  time  of  the  drougth,  mofl:  of  the  Baptiil: 
churches,  appouited  and  oblerved  fall:  days.  The 
crops  of  the  year  1807,  were  uncommonly  plentiful. 
The  alTociation  taking  this  matter  into  conlideration, 
determined  to  appoint  a  thanksgiving  day.*  The  cir- 
cular letter,  appointed  to  be  written  upon  the  Nature 
of  Sanclihcation,  by  Elder  Toicr,  was  read  and  ap- 

*  The  day  was  uniformly  obferved  throughout  the  di8tri6\,  tc 
the  great  fatisladtion  of  almoft  ail  scrts  of  people. 

1 


rtoVER   ASSOCIATION.  105 

proved  by  a  majority ;  but  supposing  that  the  iuvest5p:ati  - 
on  of  a  fubjed,  fufficiently  fettled  on  the  main  points* 
and  too  intricate  on  lubordinate  ones,  to  expedt  una- 
nimity, would  produce  no  good  effed:,  it  was  ae- 
termined  not  to  print  it.  A  fhort  addrefs  on  the  pro- 
priety of  appointing  public  days  for  fpecial  religious 
purpofes,  was  printed  in  the  place  thereof.  For  the 
fpace  of  eighteen  years,  the  afTociation  fund  had  been 
gradually  increaling  ;  fo  that,  on  the  fettlement,  this 
year,  it  was  found  that  there  were  in  the  hands  of  the 
treafurcrj  68/.  ii5.  6cL  wliich,  with  the  prefent  con- 
tributions, after  paying  all  expences,  amounted  to  78/. 
9.9.  Sd.  This  being  a  refpcd:able  fum,  and  upon  en- 
quiry finding,  that  in  cafe  of  the  death  of  the  prefent 
treafurer,  the  alTociation  not  being  incorporated, 
they  might  find  fome  difficulty  in  regaining  the  mo- 
ney :  It  was  resolved,  that  three  truftces  Ihould  be 
appointed,  to  take  the  obligations  of  the  treafurer, 
payable  to  them,  as  truftees  ;  thus,  having  a  definite 
number,  an  action  at  law  might  be  maintained.  It 
was  alfo  agreed  to  pay  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars, 
for  the  encouragement  of  the  History  of  the  Virginia 
Baptiils.  The  next  afTociation  was  appointed  at  Sa- 
lem meeting  houfe,  Caroline  county. 

October  '6th,  1808. — They  met  according  to  ap- 
pointment. The  letters^  generally,  Ipoke  of  languor 
and  luke-warmnefs,  among  the  churches.  TJiere 
was  no  bufinefs,  proper  to  be  noticed  in  this  hiflory, 
tranfaded  at  this  fefTion.  The  public  miniflrations 
were  pleafing,  and  the  time  of  continuing  together, 
was  fpent  in  a  happy  and  ufeful  manner.  The  circu- 
lar letter  was  written,  upon  the  duty  of  Chriftians 
to  obey  the  civil  law^s. 

Oct,  14,  1809. — The  aflbciation  afiembled  at  Ma- 
thev/s  meeting  houfe,  in  jMathews  county.  The  uni- 
form language  of  the  letters  was,  complaint  of  the 
lifelefs  flate  of  religion  in  all  the  churches,  yet  it  ap- 
peared that  peace  and  harmony  and  brotijieriy  love, 
with  earneft  longings  for  arevival,  v/|jfe   generally 

•  O 


106  IIISTORV   OF    'rHE 

felt.  At  this  aflbciation,  it  was  propofed  to  recom- 
mend  to  parents,  Sec.  the  ufe  of  a  catechifni  that  had 
been  lately  publiflied,  for  the  religious  inftruftion  of 
children.  This  catechism,  though  too  long  deferred, 
had  really  been  publifhed,  in  conformity  to  the  refo- 
lution  of  the  affociation,  in  their  feflion  of  1796.  lb 
however,  met  with  great  oppofition,  upon  the  prin- 
ciple, that  nothing  of  the  kind  was  neceflary  ;  that 
the  Bible  was  fufricient ;  that  things  of  that  kind, 
had  a  dangerous  tendency  towards  leflening  the  dig- 
nity of  the  fcriptures  ;  that  the  moll  corrupt  and  ab- 
surd sentiments,  had  been  inculcated  through  cate- 
chisms. 

The  advocates  for  the  recommendation  replied,  to 
these  objedions  :  that,  corrupt  men  could  communi- 
cate corrupt  fentiments,  through  the  moft  facred 
channels  :  that,  the  pulpit  and  the  prefs,  converfa- 
tion  and  even  public  prayer,  had  been  occalionally, 
the  vehicles  of  unfound  dodtrines  :  that,  it  could  be 
no  indignity  to  the  scriptures,  to  inculcate  upon  the 
rninds  of  ciiildren,  principles  and  duties,  completely 
sanctioned  by  the  scriptures  :  that,  fuch  forms  of  in- 
ftrudicn,  greatly  affifted  parents  in  the  discharge  of 
their  duty  ;  seeing  there  could.be  few  parents,  capa- 
ble of  explaining  the  Bible  suitably,  for  the  inftrud:- 
ion  of  children  :  that,  the  manners  and  morals  of  the 
children  of  Baptifts,  lately  grown  up,  plainly  evinced, 
that  religious  education  had  been  too  much  negledt- 
ed  :  that,  the  opponents  to  the  meafure,  had  proba- 
bly flillen  into  the  fame  miftake,  that  the  cotempora- 
ry  disciples  of  Chrifl:  had  done,  who  forbade  little 
children  to  be  brought  to  their  mafler,  for  which, 
they  received  his  rebuke.  After  a  lengthy  and  warm 
debate,  the  majority  decided  in  favour  of  the  recom- 
mendation. The  fame  fubjedl  was  taken  up,  a  few 
weeks  after,  by  the  General  Meeting  of  Correspond- 
ence, and  by  an  unanimous  vote,  the  catechism  was 
recommendied.  It  is  dovoutly  to  be  wifhed,  that  this 
may  be  the  beginning  of  a  reformation,  among  the 


DOVER   ASSOCIATION.  107 

Baptifls  of  Virginia,  as  to  this  duty:  For,  confider- 
ing  their  exemplary  piety  in  other  respects,  they  have 
certainly  been  too  remifs,  in  training  up  their  chil- 
dren, in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord, — 
The  circular  letter  was  written  upon  Chriftian  Order. 
The  next  association  was  appointed  to  be  holden  in 
jhe  city  of  Richmond. 

CHAPTER  X. 

Historical  Sketches  of  the  Churches,  of  the  first  Union 
Mteiing  District,  in  Dover  As,sociation. 

Having  detailed  the  proceedings  of  the  Dover  af« 
fociation,  at  her  different  feiTions,  we  Ihall  now  pro- 
ceed to  the  history  of  the  churches.  We  have  men- 
tioned in  our  account  of  the  feffion  of  1804,  that  the 
afTociation  eftabliflied  Union  Meetings.  This  was 
done  by  laying  off  the  diflrid;  into  three  fe6tions»-  — 
These  were  called  Union  Meeting  Distrid:s,  and 
v/ere  numbered  first,  second  and  third.  The  first 
Included  all  the  churches  between  York  and  James 
River.  The  second,  all  between  York  and  Rap- 
pahannock ;  and  the  third,  all  between  Rappahan-. 
nock  and  Potom.ack.  In  these  distrid:s,  it  is  exped- 
ed  that  the  preachers  fliall  meet  two  or  three  times 
every  year,  agreeable  to  the  ap|iointment  of  the  alTo- 
ciation,  and  keep  up  preaching  for  two  or  three  days. 
The  meetings  have  accordingly  been  observed,  tole- 
rably regular  ever  fince :  and  from  them,  it  has 
been  thought,  that  many  advantages  have  refulted. 
In  treating  of  the  churches,  we  fhali  be  governed  by 
this  arrangement,  and  iliall  commence  with  those  of 
the  fira  diftfidt. 

DOVER. 

This  church  has  already  been  mentioned  in  the  gene* 
ral  account  of  the  rise  pf  the  Baptists-^in  these  parts. 


108  HISTORY   OF   THE 

Since  that  time,  it  has  been  a  flourifliiug  church,  hav- 
ing had  fome  very  refrefhing  revivals.  That  which 
took  place  in  1799  and  1800,  was  a  great  one  indeed. 
From*  foon  after  the  conftitution,  until  his  death. 
Elder  Wm.  Webber  was  their  pastor.  He  died  1808. 
(See  his  Biography.)  They  have  not  procured  the 
services  of  any  minister  as  yet,  in  the  charad.er  of  a 
pastor.  Mr.  i\Iathew  Woodson,  was  a  member  and 
a  deacon  of  this  church,  and  one  of  the  best  of  men, 
Jn  this  church,  there  have  been  fcveral  preachers 
raised  up,  viz.  Joseph  Anthony,  concerning  whom, 
fee  Biography  : 

Augustin  Eastin,  who  moved  to  Kentucky,  and 
who,  thouc^h  a  man  of  fome  taknts,  was  never  any 
credit  to  the  caufe  of  truth.  Fie  appears  to  have  been 
always  carried  away  with  the  opinions  of  others,  whoip 
he  wifhed  to  imitate.  Sometimes  he  was  a  profefled 
and  pofitive  Calvinist.  Then  iliifting  about,  he  be- 
comes as  warm  an  Arminian.  Then,  to  the  right 
about  again,  he  is  re-convinced,  that  Calvinifm  is  the 
only  true  way.  Having  moved  to  Kentucky,  he 
finds  some  professors  of  high  ftanding  in  civil  Kfe,  who 
Jean  to  the  Arian  fcbeme.  Mr.  Eastin  soon  becomes 
their  champion,  and  even  writes  a  pamphlet,  in  de- 
fence of  Arianism.  This  last  change,  has  m.ade  much 
noife  among  the  Baptists  in  Kentucky.  But,  thanks 
to  the  divine  protedtion,  no  Arian  or  Socinian  Bap- 
tifts  are  known  in  ^Virginia.  Mr.  Eaftin's  moral 
chara(n:er  has  not  be^n  impeached.  On  this  head, 
both  he  and  his  coadjutors,  are  men  of  high  respec- 
tability. 

Mr.  Farro,  an  ordained  preacher,  still  resides  in 
this  church.  Jie  is  a  refpedtable  man. 
GOOCHLAND. 
This  is  a  mother  church,  as  may  be  se(sn  elsewhere. 
From  about  the  year  of  their  constitution,  to  the  pre- 
sent time,  they  have  been  blessed  with  the  pastoral 
care  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ford.  Nothing  singular  has 
happened  since  the  period,  to  which  her  history  was 


DOVER    ASSOCIATION,  i09 

brought  down  (Set  page  12,  of  the  general  rise  of  the 
Bapli(ls),  They  were  revived  in  the  year  1799, 
Avhicli,  fays  Mr.  Ford,  in  his  maniifcript,  '^  was  as 
pleasant  as  rain  to.  the  thirsti/  ground,  or  bread  to  the 
hungry  ,souL"  i^bout  one  hundred  and  twenty  were 
added  to  the  church.  It  has  fometimes  happened, 
among  the  churches,  that  partial  revivals  have  been 
granted,  in  which  there  would  be  only  thofe  of  a  par- 
ticular defcription  brought  in.  A  remarkable-  ftir  of 
this  kind,  took  place  among  the  black  people  in  this 
church,  in  the  year  1806,  More  than  one  hundred 
of  them  were  baptized* 

The  following  churches  have  been  conftituted  o^ 
from  this  church,  viz.  Dover,  in  1773  ;  'Chickaho- 
miny,  in  1776";    Licking-Hole,  in  i776"j    Hungry, 
in  1791 ;  and  Hopeful,  in  1807.     Several  preachers 
have  alfo  been  raised  and  have  refided  in  this  church; 

j\Ir.  Ford  is  now  about  6"8  years  of  age,  and  is  a 
Venerable  man  indeed.  Few  men  ever  deceived  lefs 
by  their  phyfiognomy  than  Elder  Ford.  No  man  ever 
fees  him,  who  does  not  view  him  with  reverence,  at 
his  firft  appearance,  and  no  man  ever  was  difappoint- 
ed  in  him.  Grave,  without  the  leafl:  morofenefs  ; 
cheerful,  without  a  fymptom  of  levity;  modefl,  gen- 
tle and  affectionate  in  his  manners,  yet  firm  in  his 
purpofes  ;  he  has  every  thing  out  of  the  pulpit,  which 
might  ferve  as  a  model,  of  a  gofpel  minifler ;  his  life 
is  truly  fpotlefs  ;  his  talents  are  of  the  ufeful  kind  ; 
in  his  dodrine,  he  is  fomewhat  tincflured  with  Armi- 
nianifni. 

HOPEFUL. 

This  is  quite  a  new  church.  The  members  live 
partly  in  Hanover,  and  partly  in  Louisa.  They  are 
a  pious,  orderly  and  affedtionate  people.  The  church 
was  raifed  almoft  wholly  through  the  miniflry  of  tlie 
venerable  Mr.  Ford,  to  whom  they  are  uncommonly 
united.  They  were  formerly  a  branch  of  the  Gooch- 
land church. 


llO  HISTORY   OF    THE 

CillCKAIIOMINY. 

This  church  is  compofed  of  members  living  pard.y 
in  Flanover  and  partly  in  Henrico.  TJieir  meeting 
jiGufe  IS  in  Hanover,  a  very  fmall  didance  from  the 
ccunty  line.  Soon  after  her  conftitiition,  fhe  chofe 
Mr.  John  Clay  as  their  paftor.  Under  liis  care,  they 
did  not  prosper.  He  died  in  about  four  years.  The 
church  having  been  raifedchiefly  through  the  labours 
of  Elders  Ford  and  Webber,  they  again  reforted  to 
them  for  aid.  They  attended  them  jointly  once  a 
month,  for  feveral  years.  In  1785,  they  had  a  plea- 
fant  refrelhing  ,  about  sixty  were  added  3  and  among 
them  two  young  preachers,  viz.  John  Penny,  who 
afterwards  moved  to  Kentucky,  and  Benjamin  Bowles^ 
their  prefent  paflor.* 

In  1800,  they  were  again  favoured  with  the  fmiles 
of  Heaven,  when  about  eighty  were  baptized. 

Elder  Bov/les  is  a  folid  experimental  preacher. — - 
When  he  feels  religion,  he  is  more  tranfported  than 
is  ufual,  and  on  luch  occafidns,  will  not,  cannot,  ceafe 
to  proclaim  the  divine  goodnefs  to  all  around  him. 
Such  exhortations  have  done  much  good. 
HUNGRY. 

This  church  was  conflituted  off  from  Chickahomi- 
ny,  and  had,  at  firft,  Mr.  Peter  Cottrel  for  their  paf- 
tor;  he  falling  into  disorder,  and  being  expelled,  the  , 
church  was  left  destitute  -,  they  then  procured  the  Ha- 
ted attendance  of  Elders  Courtney  and  Webber,  until 
about  1798,  when  Elder  Bernard  Reynolds  settled 
among  them,  and  was  chofen  paflor;  in  which  oftice 
be  has  continued  until  this  time. 

Mr.  Reynolds  was  once  a  preacher,  in  the  Method- 
ifl  connexion  ;  but  being  fully  convinced  of  the  ve- 
rity of  Baptifi:  principles,  he  united  with  them,  and 
has  fmce  remained  unwavering ;  his  preaching  is  now 
found  and  evangelical ;  he  is  respected  in  civil,  as 
well  as  in  religious  matters,  having  been  appointed  a 

*  Mr.  Bowles  has  fince  resigned. 


DOVER   ASSOCIATION.  Ill 

niagillrate  for  the  county.  Whether  the  holding  this, 
or  any  such  office,  is  entirely  compatible  vvith  that 
miniftry,  which  ihould  not  be  entangled  with  the  af- 
fairs of  this  life,  is  a  matter  to  be  fettled  by  each 
man's  confcience.  it  is  probably  better  left  for  laymen. 
CITY  OF  RICHMOND. 

Within  the  limits  of  the  Dover  aiTociation  is  Rich- 
mond, the  metropolis  of  Virginia ;  here,  although  the 
Baptills  are  not  the  nioft  flouriihing  fed:,  they  Hand 
upon  respectable  ground  ;  they  have  built,  by  public 
fubfcription,  a  large  brick  meeting  houfe,  and  proba- 
bly, move  on,  both  as  it  respe(fl:s  discipline  and  the 
conducling  of  public  worfliip,  with  as  much  regula- 
rity as  any  people  in  the  union.  Their  pallor,  Tl- 
der  Courtney,  took  the  care  in  the  year  i7S8,  and 
under  his  labours  they  have  enjoyed  peace  and  profpe- 
rity ;  he  is  now  (i  8o9)  about  66  years  of  age. 

This  church  arose  from  the  labours  of  Jofhua  Mor- 
rifs,  their  iirll  paflor  ;  he  living  In  the  Boar  Swamp 
church,  set  up  a  meeting,  at  one  Franklin's,  near  the 
city  of  Richmond,  where  baptizing  a  few,  and  soon 
after  moving  to  Richmond  to  live,  a  church  was  con- 
flituted  under  his  care.  After  reading  in  Richmond 
fome  years,  he  moved  to  Kentucky. 

Within  this  church  there  are,  belides  Elder 
Courtney,  several  ordained  and  licenfed  preachers, 
viz.  George  Williamson,  who  is  firfl:  master  ar- 
mourer; Herman  Sneade,  a  teacher;  William  Brame, 
who  travels  and  preaches  a  great  deal ;  and  others, 
not  so  permanently  fixed. 

BOAR  SWAMP. 

This  church  is  about  fifteen  miles  below  Richmond, 
and  about  ten  North  Eaft  of  Four  Mile  Creek.  This 
was  once  a  prosperous  and  flourifliing  church,  but 
having  had  no  pallor  for  many  years,  they  have  rathe^ 
declined. 

FOUR  MILE. 
The  meeting  houfe  to  this  church  is  about  nuie  or  tea 


112  IIISiOIlY    OF    TjlE 

miles  below  Richmond.  They  hav'e  ElJel  Johh 
Lindsay,  for  their  minifter ;  he  is  old  and  iniirm,  bur 
a  pious  and  ufeful  minifter.  They  have  fome  very 
relpedlable  private  members . 

CHARLES  CITY. 

This  church  is  in  the  county  of  the  fame  name,  and 
\vas  raised  by  the  labours  of  Elijah  Baker  and  Jofeph 
Anthony,  v/ho  firft  began  their  fervice  in  this  neigh- 
borhood, about  the  year  1 774.  They  at  firft  fuftain- 
ed  much  oppolition,  but  no  perfonal  violence.  Du- 
ring the  year  *75,  feveral  were  baptized.  Anno 
'76,  James  Bradley,  afterwards  their  paftor,  was  con- 
verted and  baptized,  and  foon  began  to  preach. — 
Soon  after  the  church  Was  conftituted,  Air.  Bradley 
was  chofen  paftor,  and  continued  to  difcharge  the  du- 
ties thereof,  until  he  died  on  the  6th  of  September, 
1803.  jMr.  Bradley,  at  firft,  preached  by  form,  or 
in  other  words,  read  his  fermons  to  the  people,  but 
loon  laid  afide  his  notes,  and  preached  extempore. 
Although  he  was  not  a  very  fuccefsful,  nor  a  very 
popular  preacher,  there  were  few  men  who  ftood  in 
higher  eftimation,  in  point  of  piety  and  uniformity 
of  condudt,  than  Mr.  Bradley.  He  was  univerfally 
efteemed  an  honeft  and  faithful  fervant  of  God. — 
Since  his  death,  Mr.  Wm  Clopton,  who  had  long 
been  a  leading  member  of  the  church,  feeing  the 
great  need  of  a  preacher,  began  to  fpeak  publicly,  and 
finally  was  ordained  to  the  miniftry.  The  ftate  of 
religion  in  this  church,  is  rather  adverfe  ;  yet  order 
and  peace  are  preserved  among  the  membei'S,  while 
the  wicked  will  do  wickedly.  When  the  fet  time  to 
favour  Zion  fhall  arrive,  she  will  doubtlefs  come 
again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  the  flueaves  of  the  fpi- 
ritual  harveft. 

In  this  church  there  ufed  to  be  and  ftill  are,  a  great 
number  of  blacks.  For  fome  cause,  they  vv'ere  forbid- 
den to  preach;  upon  which,  they  fet  up  a  kind  of  in- 
dependence, and  went  on  not  only  to  preach,  but  to 
baptize,     it  all,  however,  ended  in  confufion. 


DOVER  ASSOCIATION.  '  113 

BLACK  CREEK. 

This  church  has  gone  through  as  many  revolutions 
tis  any  in  the  affociation.  Her  misfortunes  arofe,  as 
is  often  the  cafe,  from  the  errors  and  mifconducit  of 
their  preachers.  Their  fir  ft  paftor  was  Wm.  Barns, 
who  being  a  remarkably  weak,  though  a  well  mean- 
ing preacher,  the  church  languished  under  his  care ; 
he  moved  away  about  the  year  1785  :  In  '88,  Tho- 
mas Courtney  moved  from  King- William  into  the 
bounds  of  Black  Creek,  and  the  church  being  in 
muph  confufion,  was  re-conftitutcd  under  iMr.  Court- 
ney's care.  About  '91  they  had  a  revival,  when  fome 
very  ref{^e(ftable  members  were  added.  Mr.  Court- 
ney moved  in-  '95  to  Richmond,  and  there  died,  with 
the  fmall  pox.  After  Mr.  Courtney's  death,  the 
church  fell  into  confufion  again,  and  was  conftituted 
a  third  time.  PVom  the  firft  origin  of  this  church, 
R.  Snead,  a  preacher  of  fome  talents,  resided  within 
her  limits ;  this  man  was  the  caufe  of  a  great  part  of 
the  confufion;  he  was  really  a  double-minded  man, 
who  was  unftabie  in  all  his  ways ;  sometimes  he  would 
be  a  quaker;  fometimes  a  pedo-baptift;  and  again 
return  with  double  violence,  to  Baptift  principles  ; 
he  was  alternately  a  Calvinift,  an  Arminian  and  an 
Univerfalift.  When  excommunicated  for  his  princi- 
ples (for  his  morals  were  correct),  he  would  return 
after  fome  time,  and  make  such  apparently  sincere 
concessions,  that  it  would  feem  uncharitable  not  to 
excufe  him.  He  died  in  the  church.  John  Turner, 
who  has  lately  undertaken  the  care  of  the  church, 
Herman  Snead  and  John  Goodman,  preachers,  were 
all  fons  of  this  church. 

While  Thomas  Courtney  refided  among  them,  they 
enjoyed  confiderable  profperity.  Mr,  Courtney  was 
brother  to  Elder  Courtney,  paftor  of  the  Richmond 
church.  Though  not  a  very  able,  he  was  a  lively  and 
agreeable  preacher;  he  was  fingular  for  his  good  hu- 
mour andpleafant  temper;  he  was  a  bad  economift, 
and  by  that  mean^j  was  often  embarraffed  in  his  affairs. 

P 


Hi  HISTORY    OF    TilK 

This  excepted,  Mr.  Courtney  might  be  conlidered,  a 
iiril  rate  religious  character.  He  died  triumphing  in 
redeeming  love.  Mr.  Clopton,  who  has  for  many 
years  represented  this  diftrid:  in  Congrels,  is  a  mem- 
ber of  this  church. 

JAMES  CITY. 

This  church,  in  the  county  of  the  fame  name,  was 
alfo  planted  by  the  labours  of  Elijah  Baker,  who  be- 
gan his  labours  within  its  limits,  about  the  year  1772. 
Previous  to  this,  Jeremiah  Walker  had  preached 
among  the  people,  and  was  much  oppofed  by  the  par- 
fon  of  the  parilh  and  others  3  his  preaching  however 
was  not  effedtual.  Soon  after,  Mr.  Baker  vilited  this 
neighborhood,  and  feveral  obtained  hope  in  Chrift, 
and  were  baptized.  Mr.  John  Goodall,  who  had 
been  much  approved  as  clerk  of  the  church,  obtained 
a  hope,  but  thought  he  would  endeavour  to  do  without 
baptifm  ;  but  going  to  see  fome  of  his  neighbors  bap- 
tizedi  he  could  no  longer  reft,  but  sent  the  next  day 
for  the  minifters  and  was  baptized.  Soon  after  his 
baptifm,  he  began  to  preach,  and  was  ordained  to  the 
care  of  the  church,  a  few  years  after  it  was  conftitu- 
ted  ;  he  continued  to  exercife  the  paftoral  funcftion^^ 
until  1 806,  when  he  moved  to  Kentucky.  The  church 
is  not  at  present  in  a  flourifliing  ftate.  The  Methodifts 
are  numerous  in  this  neighborhood.  Elder  Jolhua 
Morris,  a  preacher  of  confiderable  gifts,  who  after- 
wards relided  in  the  city  of  Richmond,  and  then  mov- 
ed to  Kentucky,  was  a  native  of  this  church  -,  his  fa- 
ther and  uncle,  alfo  occafionally  preached. 
WILLIAMSBURG. 

This  chuj*ch  is  compofed  almoft,  if  not  altogether, 
of  people  of  colour.  Moses?  a  black  man,  firft  preach- 
ed among  them,  and  was  often  taken  up  and  whipped, 
for  holding  meetings.  Afterwards  Gowan,  who  cal- 
led himfelf  Gowan  Pamphlet,  moved  from  Middle- 
fex,  where  he  had  been  preaching  for  fome  time ;  he 
became  popular  among  the  blacks,  and  began  to  bap- 
tize, as  well  as  to  preacl\.     It  feems,  the  affociation 


DOVER    ASSOCIATION.  115 

had  ■ad\'ifed  that  no  perfon  of  colour  fliould  be  allowed 
to  preach,  on  the  pain  of  excommunication  ;  againft 
this  regulation,  many  of  the  blacks  were  rebellious, 
and  continued  ftill  to  hold  meetings.  Some  were  ex- 
cluded, and  among  this  number  was  Gowan,  jufl  men- 
tioned. Continuing  ftill  to  preach  and  many  profef- 
ling  faith  under  his  miniftry,  not  being  in  connexion 
with  any  church  himself,  he  formed  a  kind  of  church 
out  of  fome  who  had  been  baptized,  who,  fitting  with 
him,  received  such  as  offered  themfelves;  Gowan 
baptized  them,  and  was  moreover  appointed  their 
paftor  j  fome  of  them  knowing  how  to  write,  a  church-* 
book  was  kept ;  they  increafed  to  a  large  number  ; 
fo  that  in  the  year  1791,  when  the  Dover  affociation 
was  holden  in  Mathews  county,  they  petitioned  for 
admittance  into  the  alTociation,  fcating  their  number 
to  be  about  five  hundred.  The  afibciation  received 
them,  fo  far,  as  to  appoint  perfons  to  vifit  them  and 
fet  things  in  order.  Thefe,  making  a  favourable  re- 
port, they  were  received,  and  have  allociated  ever 
fince.  A  few  years  fince,  Gowan  died. 
GRAFTON. 
This  church  was  planted  by  the  labour  of  the  in-- 
defatigable  E.  Baker;  his  firil  labours  in  the  bounds, 
of  this  church,  v/as  about  the  year  1770  ;  fome  were 
awakened  :  this  encouraged  him  to  continue  to  vifit 
them;  and  in  no  great  while,  he  baptized  feveral. 
Jofliua  Morris,  a  young  preacher  from  James  City, 
watered  the  plants.  John  Wright  was  baptized  about 
1776,  and  fcon  began  to  exhort  2nd  preach,  ^n '77 
they  were  conflituted,  andPJr.  Wright  became  their 
paflor.  Mr.  Wright  was  a  blefied  man  of  God. — 
He  was  faithful  to  occupy  his  talents.  No  man  could 
find  him  out  of  his  place ;  he  lived  and  died  a  pious 
chriftian,  and  a  faithful  as  well  as  ufeful  miniiler  of 
Chrifl  ;  he  was  a  poor  man,  and  had  a  family  to  la- 
bour for,  VN^hich  prevented  him  from  being  as  exten- 
fively  ufeful,  as  he  wcuM  probably  have  been,  un- 
der more  affluent   circumliances  ;   but  his  vineyard, 


116  HISTORY    OF   tHE 

though  fmall,  was  well  kept ;  his  duty,  was  his  de- 
light j  indiscipline  he  was  tender,  yet  vigilant  and 
impartial :  Once,  when  much  disorder  had  crept 
into  the  arm  of  the  church,  round  about  Hampton, 
through  the  miscondu^  of  Chisman ;  the  old  man 
went  down,  and  began  to  winnow  with  fo  heavy  a 
hand,  that  fome  person  observed  in  company,  he 
Would  leave  but  few  of  the  doctor's  disciples  :  yes, 
faid  a  gentleman  who  knew  him,  he  would  turn  out 
the  lall  man  to-morrow,  before  he  would  counte- 
nance disorder. — He  died  about  1795,  much  regret- 
ted by  all  forts  of  people.  Contrafled  to  this  charac- 
ter, lived  in  the  fame  church,  dod:or  Thomas  Chis- 
man, a  pra(!?l:itioner  of  phylic,  but  who,  professing 
grace  was  baptized  about  '81  or  '82  :  he  foon  com- 
menced preaching,  and  foon  alfo  became  popukr; 
with  the  judicious  he  never  ranked  above  mediocrity, 
and  indeed  hardly  afcended  to  that  grade  :  but  with 
many,  he  was  confidered  almoft  inimitable.  Some 
of  the  externals  of  the  orator  he  poflefled  in  a  great 
degree  ;  his  perfon  and  mien  was  dignified ,  his  voice 
clear  and  foriorous  ;  his  gefture  though  violent  was 
expreilive  ;  and  his  flvle  by  no  means  contemptible  ^ 
his  manner  warm  and  Sometimes  pathetic :  but  his 
mind,  a  perfed  chaos  ^  darknefs  and  confufion  fat  re- 
gents •  he  had  no  invention,  no  wit  -,  a  fallacious 
judgment,  and  but  little  information  :  but  thefe  de- 
feds  were  confiderably  remedied,  by  an  invincible 
boldnefs :  taking  the  mofl  myflerious  texts,  he  would 
pufh  on,  in  the  fuhiefs  of  felf-coniidence,  giving  in- 
terpretations, which  were  never  dreamed  of  by  the 
infpired  author.  Thefe  discourses  were  much  admi- 
red by  many,  and  gained  for  the  dodor  a  great  name. 
All  this  hov/ever,  might  have  been  fvv  alio  wed,  even 
by  thofe  who  knew  his  weight,  if  the  dodor  had  pof- 
feffed  that  part  of  the  preacher^  without  which,  all 
others  are  null,  viz.  a  pious  life.  For  seven  or  eight 
years,  he  was  thought  by  moft  of  his  acquaintances, 
to  be  fmgularly  zealous  and  pious ;    he  emancipated 


DOVER    ASSOCIATION.  11? 

lAs  slaves,  and  in  other  refpeds  made  great  apparent 
facrifices  :  but  his  day  ended  in  darknefs ;  yielding 
to  temptations  of  the  moll  diabolical  fort,  he  became 
the  greatefl:  flumbling  block,  that,  that  county  ever 
witnessed  :  the  efted:s  were  melancholy  beyond  des- 
cription :  he  was  quickly  excluded,  but  continued 
his  vicious  pursuits  for  a  coniiderable  time.  At  length 
he  was  found  by  the  hand  of  God,  and  furely  few 
men  ever  felt  the  rod  more  feverely  ;  to  appearance, 
he  was  exceedingly  penitent,  and  many  pitied  him, 
and  regained  fome  faith  in  his  piety,  but  others  thought 
differently;  he  had  been  baptized  by  Elder  Leiand, 
while  he  refided  in  Virginia,  and  was  uncommonly  at- 
tached to  him.  Juft  before  he  died,  which  happen- 
ed in  the  year  1797,  he  was  informed,  that  Mr-  Le- 
iand had  come  into  Virginia  and  had  made  appoint- 
ments to  come  down  to  York,  on  hearing  this  he  rai- 
sed himfelf  in  bed  and  expreffed  great  joy  at  the  ex- 
pectation of  feeing  him  once  more-  But  as  if  God 
had  refolved  that  his  expectations  should  perilh, 
he  died  a  few  daj^s  before  Mr.  Leiand  got  dov/n. 
It  is  not  for  us  to  decide  how  God  has  disposed  of  him, 
but  it  is  surely  lawful  to  wifli,  and  to  pray,  that  none 
such  may  ever  again  be  permitted  to  diilionoura  gos- 
pel church,  in  fa  grofs  a  manner. 

Elder  Mathew  Wood,  a  pious  and  useful  preacher, 
still  refidcs  in  this  church,  but  Elder  Gayie  who 
moved  from  Mathev/s,  was,  anno,  179^  chofen  paftor. 
They  had  in  the  year  1 803  under  the  united  labours 
of  Elders  Gayle  and  Wood,  one  of  the  molt  heavenly 
revivals  :  not  lefs  than  about  330  or  340  v/ere  bap- 
tized. After  the  revival  they  had  a  winnowing  sea- 
son. Many  that  feemed  to  be  fomewhat,  proved  to 
be  nothing.  Yet  there  is  still  a  large  and  refpectable 
church.  Elder  Robert  Stacy,  nov/  paftorof  Abing- 
don, was  raised  up  and  ordained  in  Grafton. 

ILVMPl'ON. 
This  church,    through  the  downfal  of  Chisman, 
never  profpered  much  until   1805,  when  they  had  a 


^il  ^I^^TORY   OF    THE 

revival,  about  200  were  baptized;  after  which  they 
chofe  Elder  Richard  fiurft  to  be  their  pallor,  who  had 
been  raifeci  up  in  the  church,  and  under  whose  labors 
chiefly,  the  revival  had  been  conducted*  lie  is  a  live- 
ly and  warm  preacher.  Before  the  revival,  Elder 
Gaylc  had  attended  them  flatedly, 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Historical  Sketches  of  the  Churches  in  the  second   UnJ- 
on  Meeting  District,  in  Dover  Association. 

REEDS. 

This  church  lies  in  the  lower  end  of  Caroline,  hav- 
ing fome  members  in  the  upper  end  of  King  William. 
The  firfl  labourers  within  the  limits  of  this  church 
were  Harrifs  and  Read.  John  Young,  foon  after  this, 
became  a  convert  and  a  preacher,  and  was  ordained 
paflor  to  the  church,  r.t  her  firil  conftitution.  'J  he 
church  hov/ever,  rather  languished  until  1788,  when 
iixty  or  feventy  were  added.  About  '98,  Mr.  Young 
moved  to  Albemarle,  where  he  has  been  ufeful,  and  is 
fbill  livmg.  After  Mr.  Young's  removal,  the  church 
chofe  for  their  pallor.  Elder  John  Self,  who  had  long 
been  an  affiflant  elder  in  this  church.  Nothing  re- 
markable has  occurred  lince  Mr.  Self  took  the  care. 
This  church  has  generally  had  more  than  one  ordained 
preacher.  Elder  Hipkins  Pitman,  was  for  many  years 
a  reiident  member.  At  prefent  Elder  Richard  liroad- 
dus  is  a  member,  and  labours  jointly  with  Elder  Self. 
Sam.uelBrame,  a  young  preacher  of  the  mod  confpicu- 
ous  talents,  was  raifed  in  this  church ;  he  afterwards 
moved  to  Halifax  and  died  :  his  mother,  Mrs.  Brame, 
is  now  living,  and  a  member  of  this  church,  and  was 
:n  her  early  days,  a  flated  hearer  and  com.municant 
of  the  famous  Mr.  Samuel  Davis.  She  frequently 
heard  Air.  Whitelield,  in  his  travels  tl^rough  Amen- 


DOVER   ASSOCIATION.  110 

ca,  and  fometimes  had  him  at  her  houfe.  Tis  plea- 
fant  to  hear,  this  mother  in  Ifrael,  tell  the  intcrefting 
anecdotes  which  ihe  treafared  up,  refpeding  thefe 
great  men  of  God.  Mrs.  Brame,  is  truly  one  of  the 
daughters  of  Sarah. 

Conlidering  the  date,  at  which  the  Baptifts  hegan 
to  preach  v/ithin  the  limits  of  this  church,  it  might 
reafonably  be  expected  that  perfecution,  moreorlefs, 
attended  them.  Nor  will  this  expectation  be  difap- 
pointed.  Mr.  Young  was  committed  to  jail  for 
preaching,  and  there  kept  for  four  months,  until  he 
appealed  to  the  general  court,  and  by  a  writ  of  ha- 
beas corpus  was  carried  to  Williamsburg.  Elder  H. 
Pitman  was  once  taken  up  and  threatened  to  be  whip- 
ped, but  was  difcharged  without  any  farther  injury. 
TUCKAHOE. 
The  Bti\  Baptifl  preacher,  that  ever  miniflered  with- 
in the  bounds  of  this  church,  was  John  Corbley. — 
After  Mr.  Corbley  had  preached,  the  clergyman  of 
the  pariih,  who  had  come  to  hear  him,  attacked  hiin^ 
by  way  of  argument.  After  the  argument  had  been 
continued  for  fome  time,  and,  as  might  be  expected, 
they  came  to  no  concluiion  -,  the  parfon  appointed 
the  next  Sunday,  to  preach  againfl  the  Baptiiis.  His 
text  was,  "  fVill  ye  also  go  awaij.''  His  difcourfe 
made  not  much  impreilion,  and  indeed  from  his  fiib- 
fequent  condud:,  there  were  grounds  to  fufi^ed  that 
he  was  fhaken  in  his  own  mind.  For,  afterwards 
v/hen  Waller  and  Craig  were  put  into  prifon  at  Fre- 
dericksburg, this  gentleman  went  to  the  prifon,  and 
entered  into  a  friendly  converfation  upon  the  fubje6: 
of  religion  J  and  before  he  left  them,  offered  to  bs 
their  fecurity,  if  they  chofe  to  give  bond.  It  does  not 
appear,  that  any  thing  effeduai  was  done,  by  the 
preaching  of  Mr.  Corbley.  In  the  year  1771,  Lewis 
Craig  came  and  preached  in  the  bounds  of  this  church. 
God  owned  and  blefled  liis  labours.  Viany  v/ere  awa-^ 
kened  and  fome  converted.  After  him  came  John 
Waller,  and  preached  with  confiderable  luccefs.     hi:. 


120  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Craig  continued  to  vifit  this  place,  and  to  cultivate  tll6 
feed  Town.  Believers  were  added  from  time  to  time. 
Satan  took  the  alarm,  and  ftirred  up  oppofition  to 
Mr.  Craig.  A  warrant  was  iilued,  and  Mr.  Craig  was. 
carried  before  a  magiftrate,  to  whom  he  gave  bond 
not  to  preach  in  the  county,  within  a  certain  number 
of  days ;  but  feeling  himfelf  hampered  by  this  mea- 
fare,  he  thought  it  befl;  to  incur  the  penalty;  and  ac- 
cordingly preached  fome  little  time  after,  at  one  Reu- 
ben Catiet's  plantation,  and  was  taken  up  by  virtue 
of  a  warrant  and  committed  to  prifon,  where  he  ftaid 
three  months.  When  Mr.  Craig  v/ent  to  jail  he  found 
-—  Herndon  and  B.  Choning  there,  who  being  noth- 
ing more  than  exhorters,  were  fooii  after  turned  out: 
In  the  year  1773,  James  Ware  and  James  Pitman 
were  imprifoned  lixteen  days,  for  having  preaching 
in  their  houfes.  They  offered  to  give  bond  for  good 
behaviour,  generally,  but  not  for  permitting  preach- 
ing in  their  houfes  in  particular.  This,  at  firft,  was 
refufed  them,  but  afterwards  was  acceded  to,  and 
they  were  difcharged.  Of  thefe,  James  Pitman  is 
iHli  living,  and  a  member  of  Tuckahoe  church. — 
The  laft  violence  offered  to  any,  Avithin  the  bounds  of 
this  church,  happened  in  the  year  '75*  when  Young 
Pitts,  a  preacher,  and  a  man  by  the  name  of  Picket, 
were  taken  up  and  carried  by  force  fome  diftance,  a5 
if  with  a  viev/  to  bring  them  before  a  magiftrate,  but 
after  fome  abufe,  &c.  they  fet  them  at  liberty.  Tuck- 
ahoe church,  though  fmall  at  iirfl,  became  a  ilourifli- 
ing  church,  under  the  care  of  Elder  John  Shackle<^ 
ford,  who  about  two  years  after  its  conftitution,  mov- 
ed from  Spottfylvania,  and  took  the  pafloralcare. — 
it  was  not  until  '88,  that  they  had  a  revival.  It  was 
a  memorable  time  indeed,  not  in  this  cliurch  only, 
but  almoft  throughout  the  flate  of  Virginia.  In  the 
courfe  of  this  divine  feafon,  Mr.  Shackleford  baptized 
about  three  hundred. 

Mr.  Shackleford's  narrow  circumflances,  with  fome 
other  caufes,  induced  him  to  move  to  Kentucky  in  the 


DOVER   ASSOCIATION'.  121 

72ar  '92.  He  was  an  excellent  gofpal  preacher,  and 
an  afteftionatc  man.  Since  his  removal  to  Ksntacky,-, 
he  has  been  very  ufefiil  in  the  mini-lry.  So-nz  time 
after  Mr.  Shacklcford  left  the  church,  they  were  for- 
tunate enough  to  procure  the  fervices  of  liider  .•oh.i 
Sorrel,  under  whofe  pafloriliip  they  have  been  happy 
and  peaceable. 

SALEM. 

This  church  was  taken  off  from  Upper  King  and 
Queen.  Until  the  year  'Sy,  there  v/sre  I'carceiy  any 
Baptills  within  the  precincts  of  this  church.  In  this 
and  the  fucceding  y^ar,  was  the  great  revival  in  the 
neighbouring  churches,  t^iz.  Upper  King  and  Queen 
andTuc-kahoe.  They  met  here  as  upon  half  way 
ground.  The  meetings  were  exceedingly  pov/erful, 
and  great  numbers  were  baptized ;  molt  of  them  were 
united  to  the  Upper  King  and  Queen  church,  and 
fell  under  the  care  of  Elder  Noel ;  they  remained,  as 
an  arm  of  that  church  until  1802,  when  they  were 
conftituted.  They  have  had  uniform  peace  and  love 
among  themfelves.  Elders  Andrew  and  Richard 
Broaddus  were  raised  here, 

UPPER  COLLEGE. 
This  church  is  fo  called  from  many  of  their  members 
living  on  and  about  the  lands  appropriated  for  the 
use  of  the  college  of  William  and  Mary.  The  gofpel 
was  iirfl  brought  into  thefe  parts,  by  Elder  John  Young 
and  others.  Their  firfl  pallor  was  Elder  John  Court- 
ney ;  under  his  care  the  church  profpered.  When  he 
moved  to  Richmond,  they  made  choice  of  Elder  Wm. 
Breeding :  he  was  a  pious  and  zealous  preacher,  and 
under  his  care  they  had  in  the  year  '88  and  '89  a  great 
revival ;  great  numbers  were  baptized ;  but  Mr.  B. 
exerting  himself  beyond  his  fcrength,  broke  a  blood- 
veffel,  and  died  not  long  after,  with  the  puking  of 
blood.  Elders  Courtney,  Toler,  Breeding,  Abra- 
ham, Whitlock  and  Brame,  are  fons  of  this  church. 
LOWER  COLLEGE. 
This  chiu-ch  was  for  a  long  time  an  arm  of  Upper 

O 


22  lilSTORY    OV    THE 


College;  about  the  time  of  their  conftitution,    they 
were  attended  by  Elders  Thomas  Courtney  and  Ho^ 
bert  1^.  Semple  jointly  ;  after  Mr.  Courtney  removed 
to  Richmond,  R.  B.  Semple  attended  them  until  the 
year  '96,  when  they  made  choice  of  their  prefent  paftcr 
Elder  John  Mill.     In  1 800,  they  were  favoured  with 
divine  fhowers,  and  many  were  added.     Elder  Mill 
has  been    for  feveral  years  in  bad  health,   too  much 
£0  to  preach  often.     Of  late  he  has  much  recovered. 
He  was,   previous  to  his  baptism,    in  the  MethodiR 
connexion;  he  is  now  a  found,  fleady,  pious  Jiaptifl 
preacher  ;  his  labours  in  the  church,   previous  to  his 
ill  health,  were  greatly  blelled  :  and  it  is  hoped  that 
God  has  raised  him  up  again  for  a  good  purpofe. — 
Wm.  Hargrove  is  an  ordained  preacher  in  this  church, 
and  is  useful  in  supplying  other  churches  as  well  as 
his  own,  in  the  inability  of  their  paftor. 
UPPER  KE\G  &  QUEEN. 
This  church,  in  the  county  of  the  fame  name,  was 
firft  conftituted  under  the  care  of  Young  Pitts,    but 
he,  becoming  diforderly,  was   filenced  :  the  church 
langui(hed,  and  by  the  advice  of  experienced  miniflers 
diiTolved  their  con ftitution^  intending  to  join  the  Up- 
per College,   but  being  required  by  that  church  to 
relinquilli  their  monthly  meetingi  and  not  wifliing 
to  do  lb,   they  again,  the  next  months  refumed   their 
conllitution,  and  chofe  Elder  Theodorick  Noel,  for 
their  paftor  J  this  happened  ia  the  year  1780.    Under 
the  miniftry  of  Elder  Noel  the  church  flourifhed,  and 
gradually  increafed  until   the  year    1788.     On  this 
year  God  defcended  in  his  mighty  power.  A  greater 
work  of  grace  has  probably,  never  been  known  in\^ir- 
ginia,  within  the  limits  of  one  church.    It  continued, 
with  but  little  abatement,  during  the  year '89-     It 
was  ufual  to  baptize  every  monthly  meeting,  and  for 
many  months,  there  were  seldom,   if  ever  lefs    than 
twenty  baptized,  but  more  frequently,  forty,  iifty  and 
iixty  :  many  refpectable  private  perfons,  and  three  or 
four  preachers,  wejre  among  these.     Since  this  bklTed 


DOVER  ASSOCIATIOlv.  123 

and  memorable  feafon,  there  have  been  but  few  addi- 
tions.   In  1802,  Salem  was  taken  off  from  this  church. 
BRUINGTON. 

This  is  a  large  and  profperous  church  indeed.  Un- 
lefs  the  compiler  feels  a  blinding  partiality  for  thefe 
people,  they  have  from  their  begmning,  and  do  itill 
expeiience  a  larger  portion  of  religious  harmony  and 
happinefs  than  ordinarily  falls  to  the  lot  of  churches. 
But  lest  this  fine  gold,  ihould  at  fome  future  day, 
become  dim,  we  will  curtail  our  remarks. 

EXOL. 

This  is  a  church  of  long  ftanding,  for  though  not 
the  firft,  yet  (lie  was  among  the  firft  in  thofe  parts. 
Mr.  Tvifon  Lewis  is  ftill  their  paflor,  and  has  been 
ever  fince  their  firft  conftitution.  This  church  though 
bleffed  with  a  faithful  and  amiable  paflor,  has  fuftain- 
ed  great  injury  in  pad  days,  through  diforderly  prea- 
chers. Some  of  them  becoming  popular,  drew  ma- 
ny aftray  through  their  bad  examples.  The  church 
for  feveral  years  has  enjoyed  peace  and  harmony,  and 
feme  degree  of  profperity.  Elder  John  Clarke  is  an 
ordained  and  ufeful  minifter  in  this  church. 

Exol  was  an  orderly  and  thriving  church  until  '88, 
when  they  had  a  confiderabie  revival,  in  v/hich  about 
two  hundred  and  fifty  were  baptized.  Jt  was  after 
this  revival,  that  the  bars  of  discipilne  were  mea- 
surably broken  down.  Few  churches  have  raised 
more  preachers  than  this  j  fome  good  and  valuable, 
others,  the  reverie.  Mr.  Lewis,  their  paftor,  is  in  the 
higheft  eftimation  as  a  good  man,  and  a  zealous,  ac- 
tive, heart-fearchiiig  preacher-  He  aims  chiefly  at 
perfuading  finners  to  repent,  and  many  through  him, 
have  been  perfuaded. 

LOWER  KING  ^  QUEEN. 

This  is  a  mother  church,  fpoken  of  in  our  General 
Hiftory.  The  church  did  not  advance  in  any  confi- 
derabie degree,  under  the  care  of  Elder  Ware,  yet 
there  were  fome  very  respectable  and  valuable  charac- 
ters added  :  after  his  death,  which  happened  about 


124  niSTOR"  OF   THE 

the  year  1804,  Mr.  Wm.  Todd  was  called  to  thepaf^ 
toral  care  ;  few  churches  are  more  united  to  a  pafi^or, 
than  this  church  is  to  Mr.  1  odd ;  in  the  years  i805 
— 6,  they  were  vilited  by  fovereign  mercy.  Her  cords 
were  lengthened,  and  her  ftakes  were  flrengthened. 
Ih  1^07  the  lov/cr  arm  of  this  church  was  conftitu- 
tedofr,  and  called  Pocorone.  They  have  two  meeting 
houfes,  fome  diitance  from  each  other,  in  both  of 
v/hich,  church  bulinefs  is  tranfadted. 
POCORONE. 

This  church  was  taken  from  the  lafl:  named  church, 
and  is  orderly  and  happy,  feeding  upon  the  bread  of 
life,  fentthem  from  God,  by  fclder  James  Ilealey. 
UPPER  ESSEX. 

']  his  is  a  mother  church.  1  ewis  Craig  and  others, 
as  early  as  '68  or  '69,  preached  in  these  parts.  Their 
lal-^urs  were  not  in  vain;  a  few  were  baptized  from 
time  to  tuT.e,  until  in  the  year  '72,  a  church  was  or- 
g:  nized,  and  lay  elders  ordained,  not  having  any  paf* 
tor;  iVir.  Craig  continued  to  viiit  them,  and  was 
liiuch  beloved ;  when  he  could  not  attend  as  often 
as  they  wif}:ed,  they  invited  Elder  Jofeph  Bledfoe  to 
take  the  care  of  them;  he,  however,  living  in  bpott- 
i^'lvania,  could  not  or  did  not,  perform  the  duties  cf 
paflor :  this  ended  rather  in  confufion.  In  Augufl 
'73,  elder  Noel  was  baptized,  and  foon  began  to  blow 
the  gofptl  trumipet.  ijeing  ordained,  he  discharged 
the  duties  of  paflor,  without  being  regularly  inau- 
gurated :  fevv'  men  have  been  more  fuccefsful  in  the 
miniliry  than  i\'r.  Noel :  it  is  probable,  that  he  has 
baptized  as  iiiany  perlons  as  any  other  preacher  now 
living  in  Virginia  •  among  them  have  been  a  number 
of  pieachers,  seme  of  whcm  rr.r;k  high  in  the  miniflry, 
as  n  en  cf  talents  and  ufefulnels :  he  is  now  and  has 
teen  tor  nany  years  paflor  of  the  Upper  King  and 
Queen  Church.  '1  he  £rft  perfon  that  Mr.  Noel  bap- 
tized, alter  he  v. as  crcaintd,  wrs  a  young  wcm.an  : 
her  brother  J  r(  nised,  to  dip  any  person,  thatfhould 
dip  her.     In  fuitilmtnt  of  his  \\ord,  he  made  the  at- 


DOVER    ASSOCIATIOW.  125 

tempt,  but  could  not  get  Mr.  Noel  under  the  water. 
Being  purfued  by  fome  of  the  wicked,  who  refented 
this  treatment  to  the  preacher,  he  was  obliged  to  make 
the  beftof  his  way  off:  he  died  a  few  weeks  after, 
having  firft  sent  for  Mr.  Noel  to  ask  pardon.  Mr. 
Noel's  talents  as  a  preacher  seem  to  be  lingularly  cal- 
culated for  a  revival;  hence,  from  this  or  fome  other 
cause,  fince  the  revival  has  declined,  his  popularity, 
as  a  preacher,  is  confiderably  lelTened ;  his  friends 
however,  hope  to  fee  him  blaze  forth  again,  in  his 
laft  days.  Upper  Eflex  church, has  been,  in  one  fenfe 
a  little  like  the  burning  bufli;  they  have  had  from  the 
iirft,  much  of  the  fire  of  contention  among  themfelves, 
and  yet  they  are  a  respectable  church  ;  they  have  no 
paftor,  but  procure  the  ftatcd  services  of  neighboring 
preachers :  they  have  fome  very  worthy  private  mem- 
bers. 

PISCATAWAY. 

This  church  is  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  James 
Greenwood,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  table.  From  its 
conftitution,  Mr.  Greenwood  has  been  the  faithful 
minifler  of  this  people.  The  church  under  his  care 
has  prospered  without  intermiflion.  In  '88  and  1 8o4' 
there  were  precious  revivals,  in  each  of  v/hich  years 
a  resped:able  number  was  added  to  the  church  :  but 
it  is  worthy  of  note,  that  even  in  the  coldell:  anddul- 
left  seasons,  this  church  Hill  gradually  gained  flrength, 
enjoying  uniform  serenity  and  peace.  Elder  Green- 
wood has  been  for  sometime  in  a  very  low  ilate  of 
health,  but  the  friends  of  piety  begin  to  hope  that 
he  will  recover,  and  that  God  v/ill  add  a  few  more 
years  to  fo  ufeful  a  life  :  for,  if  it  were  faid,  that  of 
all  religious  charaders,  he  is  the  mod  spotless,  all 
who  knov/  him,  himself  excepted,  would  pro- 
nounce it  a  well-m.ented  eulogy.  Ide  is  now  ( 1 809) 
about  sixty  years  of  age,  and  has  been  truly  a  labour- 
er  in  the  Lord's  vinevard,  nearly  or  quite  lorty  years. 
From  Piscataway  was  conflituted  in  1790,  bruing- 
ton,  under  the  care  of  Robert  B.  £em-ple. 


X^8  ins  Ton  Y    OF    THE 

GLEBE  LANDING. 

This  is  a  niother  church,  for  the  account  of  her 
origin  lee  C/eneralHiftory.  Wm.  MuUin  was  their 
pailor  for  many  years,  and  a  faithful  one  he  was ;  du- 
ring his  continuance  among  them,  order  and  peace 
prevailed ;  they  were  revived  by  divine  grace  in  the 
year  17H8,  when  about  one  hundred  were  added;  the 
church  was  happy,  and  gradually  increafcd  until  the 
year  •  792,  when  God  called  home  their  faithful  and 
diligent  paflor.  No  church  probably  ever  felt  the 
iofs  of  fo  valuable  a  preacher  lefs  than  they  did  that 
of  Mr.  MuUin  ;  for  they  immediately  procured  the 
ilated  monthly  fervices  of  elder  Lewis,  who  has  at- 
tended them  ever  fmce.  As  to  discipline,  they  had 
several  old  and  experienced  members,  who  were  ful- 
ly competent  to  the  task  of  fetting  things  in  order, 
(^f  these,  Richard  Street  was  firft  appointed  modera- 
tor, he  dying  in  fome  fliort  time,  they  appointed  John 
Sadler,  who  lived  many  years  and  during  his  life,  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  his  office  with  as  much  diligence, 
judgement,  and  success,  as  any  minifter  in  Virginia, 
could  have  done.  These  may  be  called  emphatically 
the  precious  sons  of  Zion.  They  have  entered  into 
their  reft:  and  their  works  will  follow  them. 

Mr.  Mullin  as  a  preacher  could  not  be  faid  to  rank 
high.  His  talents  in  the  pulpit  were  not  conlpicu- 
ous,  yet  he  might  be  called  a  folid  and  found  experi- 
mental preacher.  He  was  a  judicious  difciplinarian, 
and  in  preserving  order  he  succeeded  bcttei  than  com- 
mon. He  died,  in  full  hope  and  alTurance  of  a  relur- 
ection  to  a  better  life, 

FiERMITAGE, 

This  is  a  church  of  long  ft:anding,  having  beea 
conft:ituted  off  from  Glebe  Landing,  under  the  care 
of  John  Mullin.  During  his  life,  they  enjoyed  peace 
and  profperity,  in  a  moderate  degree  ;  but  about  the 
year  '93  or  'y4,  they  loft  their  paftor.  Soon  after 
his  death,  John  Healey  was  ordained  to  the  paftoral 
care,  having  long  exercised  a  public  gift  among  them. 


t>dVER  ASS'OCflATION.  12T 

111  1802  he  alfo  died.  Since  his  death,  the  church 
has  had  no  paflor,  but  are  favoured  with  the  month- 
ly fervices  of  elder  i  -ewis.  They  have  alfo  two  gift** 
ed  members,  viz.  James  Healy,  ordained  ;  and  Sa- 
muel Jeile,  licensed.  Thefe  are  old  Baptifts,  but 
young  preachers  thrufl:  into  the  vineyard  at  the  ele- 
venth hour.  Being  faithful,  they  will  doubtless  re- 
ceive their  penny  Mr.  ilealey  attends  Pocorone 
church  in  the  nature  of  a  paftor,  though  not  regu- 
larly imlalled.  Mr.  John  VluUin  was  among  the 
hrll  who  profelTed  vital  faith  in  thofe  parts,  in  which 
he  refided .  From  the  time  of  his  profeffion,  to  the 
day  of  his  death,  he  had  the  reputation  of  being  a 
spotless  chriilian.  He  was  indeed  a  good  man,  though 
not  an  able  preacher.  His  life  was  good  preachiiig, 
to  all  who  knew  him.  As  he  lived,  fo  he  died,  be- 
loved of  God  and  approved  of  men. 

ZOAR. 
This  church  was  stricken  off  from  Hermitage,  un- 
der the  charge  of  elder  David  Corey,  but  in  the  midst 
of  their  flattering  profped:s,  the  great  fhepherd  and 
bifliop,  has  in  the  mysteries  of  his  providence,  thought 
proper  to  snatch  from  them  their  beloved  pastor  ;  he 
died  Feb.  1809,  lamented,  deeply  lamented,  by  eve- 
ry good  man  that  knew  him.  Capt.  Corey  was  a 
native  of  New- England,  but  came  to  Virginia  and 
profefTed  religion,  at  an  early  period  of  life.  ,  It  was 
not,  however,  until  he  had  been  baptized  fifteen  or 
fixteen  years,  that  he  began  to  preach.  He  laboured 
only  five  or  fix  years  in  the  miniftry  j  during  that  time, 
he  did  much  good,  rOund  about  in  his  neighborhood. 
He  had  followed  fea-faring,  for  a  livelihood  for  ma- 
ny years,  but  in  confequence  of  its  interference  with 
his  ministry,  he  had  in  a  great  meafure  laid  it  afide, 
and  commenced  farmer. 

PETTS WORTH,  or  GLOUCEST^.R. 
The  gofpel  firfl;  made  its  way  into  this  neighborhood, 
through  the  miniltry  of  elder  Lewis.     Mr.  [Robert 
Hudgin,  a  native  of  Mathews^  had  moved  into  this 


12b  ins  TOR  V  oil-   Ttll. 

part  of  Gloucefler,  but  in  fome  of  his  vi/its  *to  Ma- 
thews, having  heard  Mr.  Lewis  preach,  he  invited 
hjm  to  come  into  his  neighborhood,  which  he  did  in 
the  year  'J5.  His  labours  were  produftive  of  great 
good  Several  joined  the  fociety,  and  finally  a  church 
was  conflituted,  under  the  care  of  Robert  Hudgin, 
who  began  to  preach,  foon  after  he  was  baptized. — 
This  church  continued  to  prolper  moderately,  until 
Mr.  Hudgin's  death.  'J 'hey  were  then  left  without 
any  perfon  to  go  out  and  in  before  them.  They,  at 
length  did,  what  it  would  hardly  have  been  fuppofed, 
would  have  been  done  by  Virginians:  'Ihey  chofe  for 
their  pastor  Wm.  Lemon,  a  man  of  colour:  he,  though 
not  white,  as  to  his  natural  complexion,  had  been 
walhed  in  the  laver  of  regeneration  :  he  had  been  pu- 
rified and  made  white,  in  a  better  fenfe.  As  a  preach- 
er, though  weak,  he  was  lively  and  afi:ed:ing.  He  al- 
fo  died  after  feveral  years  ;  fince  then  they  have  been 
destitute  of  stated  ministerial  aid  :  Mr.  Wm.  Leigh 
exercises  a  public  gift,  and  it  is  faid,  is  ufeful.  The 
methodists  are  numerous  in  these  parts. 

ABINGDON. 

This  fhurch  in  the  lower  end  of  Gloucester,  was 
taken  ofi:'  from  Pettsv/orth.  The  members  chiefly 
live  in  that  part  which  has  been  fometimes  called 
Guinea.  Vvhen  Mr.  Lewis  first  preached  in  this 
neighborhood,  he  met  with  violent  oppofition  from 
individuals;  but  treating  them  with  lenity  and  meek- 
nefs,  he  foon  made  many  of  them  as  friend- 
ly, as  they  had  been  hostile.  .  This  church  is  under 
the  care  of  Robert  Stacy,  a  found,  good  preacher. — 
They  appear  to  be  happy  under  his  ministry. 

MATHEWS;^ 

As  early  as  the  year  1771,  onejohnfon,  a  Baptifl, 
preached  within  the  bounds  of  this  church ;  his  preach- 
ing left  no  durable  impreffion :  in  '72  or  '73,  Rev.  Ivi- 
fon  Lewis,  who  v/as  not  yet  baptized,  went  dov/n  on 
a  vifit  to  his  relations,  who  lived  in  this  county,  ap,d 


POVER  ASSOCIATION  120 

having  lately  obtained   a  hope  of  falvation.    he  was 
zealous   to  inculcate   the  neceffity  of  vital  religion, 
wherever  he  went.      I J  is  converfation  made  fuch  im- 
pre (lions  upon  the  minds  of  thofe,  with  whom  he  con- 
verfed,  that  it  was  rumoured  about  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, that  a  new  preacher  had  come  among  them  : 
this  drew  out  a  large  company  of  people,  to  the  houfe 
where  Mr.  Lewis  ftaid,  to  hear  him  preach,  without 
any^previous  appointment.     Mr.  Lewis  having  never 
attempted  to  preach  in  regular  form,  felt  much  alarm- 
ed ;  but,  relying  upon  fupernatural  aid,  he  went  on 
to  addrefs  the  people.     God  unftopped  their  ears  and 
opened  tneir  hearts.     They  received  his  doctrine,  as 
from  God.     Mr.  Lewis  not  long  after,  became  a  Bap- 
tifl  and  a  preacher,    and  continued  to  vilit  Mathews 
with  much  success.     A  number  of  respedlable  cha- 
raders  profeffed  faith,  and  were  baptized.   Mr.  Lew- 
is, though  he  lived  above  forty  miles  off,   viiited  this 
place  once  a  month  for  feveral  years.     In  the    year 
'\i2,  the  church  induced  David  Tinlley  to  fettle  among 
them ;  his  labours  were  not  as  beneficial  a?  was  hoped. 
In  the  courfe  of  two  or   three  years,  viz.  178.5,    he 
moved  off  to  Georgia,   where  turning  an  Arminian, 
he  joined  the  General  Baptifts,  headed  by  .feremiah 
Walker.     Tinlley  was  a  good  preacher,  and  had  been 
in  the  early  part  of  his  miniftry,  confiderably  fuccefs- 
ful  as  an  itinerant. 

After  Mr.  Tiniley's  removal,  Mathews  church  had 
no  preacher,  until  John  Gayle,  a  gifted  member,  was 
ordained;  under  his  miniftry,  and  the  miniflry  of  vi- 
iiting  preachers,  they  had  a  great  revival  in  the  year 
'87  ;  several  hundreds  were  baptized.  By  many  ju- 
dicious  profeffors,  this  revival  was  thought  not  to 
have  been  prudently  conducted,  as  it  respe(!?ted  some 
of  the  leading  viiiting  minifters.  Perfons  were  bap- 
tized upon  too  flight  reafons,  as  many  thought. — 
This  circumftance,  added  to  the  slackness  of  their 
discipline,  produced  a  good  deal  of  unhappinefs,  af- 
ter the  revival  fubfided.     Nor  indeed  have  they  fmce» 

R 


130  illSTOEY    01?    TllE 

ever  completely  regained  that  regularity  and  order, 
so  necessary  to  the  full  enjoyment  of  religious  fociety. 
In  many  respe<fls,  however,  this  is  a  commendable 
church,  having  fome  who  have  not  defiled  their  gar- 
ments. They  long  tried,  to  procure  a  preacher  of 
talents,  to  relide  among  them,  but  did  not  fucceed 
entirely.  For  a  few  years,  Mr.  Jacob  Creath,  a  prea- 
cher of  popular  talents,  dwelt  among  them.  He  how- 
ever married  in  Lancaster,  and  removed  thither,  and 
then  went  to  Kentucky,  where  he  ftill  lives.  A  few 
years  paft,  they  made  choice  of  Mr.  Wm.  Fitchet,  a 
gifted  man,  and  one  of  their  own  members,  as  a  paf- 
tor.  No  perfecution  farther  than  reproaches  and  flan- 
der,  has  ever  disgraced  the  people  in  this  neighborr 
hood. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Historical  Sketches  of  the  Churches  in  the  third  Union 
Meeting  District,  in  Dover  Association. 

HANOVEll. 

This  church  was  taken  off  from  Tuckahoe  and 
Nomini.  JefTe  Davis,  fome  years  after  their  confli- 
tution,  was  indu6i:ed  into  the  church  as  paftor.  Be- 
fore Mr.  Davis  became  paflor,  a  Mr.  Sthretchley  ufed 
to  preach  and  read  fermons  for  them,  but  this  not  be- 
ing fatisfad:ory  to  the  church,  Mr.  S.  took  umbrage, 
and  joined  the  Methodifls,  and  afterwards  pofitively 
profefled  himfelf  a  deifl.    .. 

Under  Mr.  Davis's  miniftry,  Hanover  has  been  z 
refpedlable  and  orderly  church,  •  Mr.  Toler  once  at- 
tended them  flatedjy. 

NOMINI. 

Mr.  Lunsford  was  the  firfl,  who  preached  with  fuc- 
cefs,  in  these  parts  :  he  had  baptized  a  few  fcattered 


DOVER    ASSOCIATION.  131 

merr^bers  previous  to  the  year  '83.     On  this  year  el- 
der Toler,  who  is  now  the  paftor  of  this   church,  wa.s 
invited  by  an  old  lady,  who  had  been  baptized  by  Mr. 
I  Lunsford,  to  preach  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  pre- 
*«nt  meeting  houfe;  he   went,    and   but  few  people 
;  .Attended  jj  thsfe  were  diftant  and  reserved  :  none,  but 
I  ^  very  poor  man,  invited  him  to  his  houfe  :  Yet,  hoAV 
Uilhsea^Ghable  are  the  ways  of  God  !  This  meeting  was 
'  thte  beginning  of  great  events,  as  it  refpedts  this  neigh- 
borhood.    Mrs.  Pearce,  wife  of  Capt.  Jofeph  Pearce, 
attended,  having  been  in  a  low  ilate  of  health  for  fome 
time,   the  word  reached  her.     When  Mr.  Toler  at- 
•  tended  again,   Mrs.  Peace  fent  for  him  to  Mr.  Tem- 
pleman's,  her  fon-in-law,    and  had  the  preaching  at 
,  his  house,  he  being  from  home  on  a  journey.     His 
preaching  made  deep  impreffions  upon  her  mind. — 
Ji^hen  Mr.  Templeman  returned,  he  was  fprely  dis- 
♦pleafed  at  the  liberty  which  had  been  taken  with  his 
jioiife,  and  talked  of  leaving  it,  as  being  contamina- 
ted*   Before  Mr.  Toler  came  again,  Mrs,  Pearce  died 
a  great  penitent ;  enjoining  it  on  her  husband,  to  open 
his  houfe  for  preaching.     To  this  capt.  Pearce  con- 
fented,  and  had  Mr.  Toler's  next  meeting  appointed 
at  his  houfe.     Light  dawned.     The  prejudices  of  the 
people  wore  off.     Several  perfons  of  different  clafles 
were  converted  and  baptized.     Among  them  was  Mr. 
Templeman  mentioned  above,  and  his  wife ;  Capt. 
Pearce  and  fome  of  his  children,  and  in  a  few  years, 
all  of  them,  and  fome  other  people.     This,  fays  Mr. 
Toler,*    was  a  gracious,  glorious^  pleasant  tune, — 
Thofe  who  had  been  baptized  by  Mr.  Toler,  together 
with  a  few  others  who  had  been  baptized  previous  to 
V  ^is  coming,  were  formed  into  a  church  April  29, 1786, 
having  in  all  feventeen  members.     Eider  Toler  v/as 
^  cholen  to  attend  them  as  paftor,  and  in  a  year  or  two 
amoved  here  to  live. 

On  the  fame  day  after  the  conilitution  of  the  church, 

*  This  account  "f  Norcir.i  I'  talc  n,  ainioft  verLatini,    from  a  tr.anuscrijpt 
fjrniftied  bv  Mr.  Tolsr. 


IS-i  IirSTOUY    OF    THE 

five  Others  were  baptized,  and  at  the  end  of  this  ^ar 
the  number  was  leventy- three.     Jn  '87  it  increafcd  to 
one  hundred  and  nineteen.     Jn  '88,  to  two  hundred 
and  twenty-two.     Jn  '89,  to  three  hundred.     Jn  '90,. 
to  three  hundred  and  thirty-one.     In '1,1,   tothree* 
hundred  and  forty -eight.     Jn '92,   to  three  hundred  ^ 
and  fifty-four.     Jn  '93,  to  three  hundred  and  fifty-^ 
feven.     In '9^,  to  three  hundred  and  lixty-l^ven.     Ifr'*' 
'95,  to  four  hundred  and  eight.     F'rcni  this  datef  for 
ten  years,  there  were  but  few  additions.     Ordtr  and* 
discipline  were  preserved,    but  prolessors   feemed  to 
Jack  life  and  fpirit  in  religion.     By  deaths  and  remo- 
vals, the  church  was  much  reduced  in  number,   1  he 
preachers  continued   their  meetings,  and  afterAvards 
found  that  even  in  this  lifelefs  feafon,   that  their  la- 
bours were  not  left.     ^Jhis  was  a  trying  tim^e,  to  the 
feehngs  of  these  public  servants,   especially  to  Mi**,* 
Toler,  their  paftor.      So  much  was  he  worn   dqwh^ 
with  discouragement,  that  he  had  flrcng  thoughts  of 
moving  oft.     When  every  hope  of  another  revival, 
was  almofi;  given  up,  quite  unexpedtedly  in  tlie  ear- 
ly part  of  the  Sumimier  1806,  the  work  of  God  again 
appeared.     In  a  fniall  time,  it  fpread  to  an  extent  be- 
yond the  former  revival.     In  three  micnths,  ninety 
were  baptized.     At  various  timiCS,  thirty,  forty,  fifty 
and  fixty,  were^baptized  at  once.     So  that  from  firll 
to  lafl,  in  this  revival,  there  have  been  added  between 
five  and  fix  hundred,   mounting  the  church,  from  its 
-low  {landing,  up  to  eight  liundred  and  feventy-five. 
The  maofi:  numercus  church  in  Virginia.     This  was 
a  pure  revival.     Very  little  extravagance  of  any  kind, 
was  ever  leen.     The  convidicns  appeared  to  be  deep 
and  powerful,  and  the  converfions  clear  and  rational. 
It  was   a  harvefl  indefcribably  glorious. 

]\Jr  Tokr,  the  pafior  cf  this  church,  ♦became  a 
Eabtift  at  a  very  early  period  of  life.  He  foon  ccm- 
m.enced  public  fpcaker,  appearing  to  be  promifing, 
was  afiilted  by  a  friend,  to  acquire  a  m.ore  extenlive 
education  ;  having,  had  rather  limited  opportunities. 


DOyEP.   ASSOCIATION.  103 

pi;eviouily  accordingly  he  read  under  the  tutorage  of 
the  1-ev.  Doctr.  Samuel  Jones  in  Pennf^lvania.— 
His  progrefs  was  conliderable.  After  Mr.  Toler  left 
fchool,  he  became  a  corredl,  and  handfome  fpeaker. 
As  a  fpeaker  he  was  found  and  experimental,  affecti- 
onate in  his  addrefs,  and  when  animated  himfelf, 
very  animating  to  his  hearers  Few  preachers,  hav- 
ing families,  have  been  more  indefatigable  in  propa- 
gating the  gofpel  than  Mr.  Toler.  He  has  been  ia 
the.fervice  now  between  3o  and  40  years. 

Mr.  Templeman  mentioned  above,  began  to  preach 
foon  after  he  was  baptized,  and  was  ordained  anno, 
1792.  jblaving  been  long  accuftomed  to  public  life, 
as  an  adive  magiftrate,  as  a  merchant,  and  as  one, 
who  is  often  called  on  to  tranfact  the  affairs  of  o- 
thers,  Mr.  Templeman  has  divided  his  attention,  be- 
tween thefe  employments  and  his  miniftry.  It  is 
Itardly  probable,  that  many,  if  any,  can  be  found  in 
Virginia,  who  have  fucceeded  so  completely,  in  giv- 
ing'  fatisfadion  info  many  various  occupations. — 
There  are  but  few  that  ever  heard  him,  who  do  not 
think  him  a  good  preacher  ;  and  it  happens,  unfortu- 
nately in  fome  respects,  that  himfelf  is  one  of  thofe 
few,  for  it  is  exceeding  difficult  to  get  him  to  preach 
where  there  are  any  others.  As  a  man  of  bufinefs, 
both  as  it  refpedis  integrity  and  clevernefs,  he  is  uni- 
verfally  cfteemed  by  all  who  know  him.  In  1807, 
he  was  chofen  IModerator  to  the  aiTociation,  and  ac- 
quitted himfelf  v/ith  general  approbation.  His  ab- 
fence,  prevented  his  continuance  in  that  office.  Be- 
fides  these,  there  are  other  preachers  and  public 
fpeakers  in  this  church.  Of  these,  Mr.  Hazard  has 
been  ordained. 

Behdes  thofe  remaining  in  this  extenlive  church, 
they  have  loft  fome  diftinguifhed  members.  Capt. 
Pearce,  mentioned  above,  from  the  time  of  his  pro- 
feffion  until  his  death,  was  a  pious  and  fteady  mem- 
ber, as  well  as  an  excellent  deacon.  His  houfe  was 
a'houfe  of  preaching,  as  well -^sprayer. 


IS-A  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Mrs.  Steptoe,  a  lady  of  the  iijrft  rank,  Iioth  as  to 
family  and  fortune,  was  long  a  member  of  this  fociety. 
She  was  an  ornament  to  religion.  She  took  her  feat 
in  the  church  about  1786.  In  her  will,  flie  leftari 
iinnyity  of  ten  pound  per  annum  to  Mr.  Toler,^o 
long  as  he  fliould  remam  paftor  of  Ngmini  church. 

Robert  Carter,  Esq.  once  a  member  of  the  V?rgii^ 
nia  executive  council,  and  on  that  account  common-^, 
ly  called  Counsellor  Carter,  was    baptized  by   Mr.*" 
Lunsford,  fhortly  after  he  began  to  preach  in  thgfe 
parts.     He  was  one  of  the  richefl:  men  in  the  flate  of 
Virginia,  having,  asfomefay,  feven  or  eight  hundred 
negroes,  beiides  immenfe  bodies  of  land,  (kc.     After 
being  baptized,  fome  years,  he  became  confdentious 
about  the  lawfulnefs  of  hereditary  flavery.     In  a  let- 
ter to  Mr.  Rippon  of  London,  he  fays, "  The  toleration 
of  slavery y  indicates  i en/  great  depravitij  of  mind.'' 
In  conformity  to  this  fentiment,  he  gradually  eman-; 
cipated  the  whole  that  he  pofTefled.  ''^ 

This  was  a  noble  and  disinterefled  facrifice.  For 
fourteen  or  fifteen  years  he  continued  an  orderly  Bap-  ^ 
tift.  But  being  a  man,  naturally,  of  an  unflable  dis- 
pofition,  and  falling  in  with  certain  Arminian  wri- 
tings, he  fully  embraced  their  do6lrines.  Had  he 
Hopped  here,  he  might  fliU  have  continued  in  the 
Baptift  fociety,  though  not  fo  happily  as  before.  But 
alas !  there  are  fo  many  wrong  roads  in  religious  pur- 
fiiits,  that  when  a  man  once  gels  wrong,  it  is  impof- 
fible  to  forefee  where  he  will  flop.  From  the  Armi- 
nian errors,  Mr.  Carter  fell  into  the  chimerical  whims 
of  Sw^edenburg.  V/hen  he  firfl  heard  of  the  books 
of  Swedenburg,  he  made  very  light  of  them  3  but 
upon  reading  them,  having  a  mind  naturally  fond  of 
fpecious  novelty,  he  fully  embraced  the  whole  of  that 
abfurd  lyflem,  and  was  of  courfe  excluded  from  the 
Baptifls.  He  was  now,  as  zealous  for  the  New  Je- 
rusalem church,*  as  he  had  been  formerly  for  the 
Baptifls.     He  moved  to  Baltimore,  in  order  to  find  a 

•■*  A  name  by  Txhich  S;vcdcnburg's  fullo'rt-crs  defigna'c  themselves- 


DOVEK   ASSOCIATION,  13.5 

preacher,  and  a  fociety  of  his  own  fentimentif,  and  ex- 
pended large  fums  of  money  to  have  Swedenburg's 
writings  repiibUfhed.  He  continued  orderly  in  his 
moral  condud,  and  died  a  few  years  fince,  after  hav- 
ing lived  to  a  confiderable  age.  Mr.  Toler's  amia<^ 
bie  chara<!^er  may  be  gathered  from  his  labours  defcri- 
bed  above. 

FAHNHAM. 
This  church  was  raised  under  the  united  labours  of 
James  Greenwood  and  Wm.  Mullin.  About  '7'^", 
Mr,  Greenwood  was  invited  by  a  Mrs.  Sucket,  who 
lived  in  Richmond  county,  on  Rappahannock,  to 
preach  at  her  houfe.  Betore  he  went,  he  was  appre- 
henfive  of  confiderable  oppolition,  but  was  agreeably 
difappointed.  The  people  were  attentive.  Being 
encouraged,  he  and  Mr.  Wm.  MuUin  continued  to 
vilit  them,  preaching  at  private  houfes,  until  a  flage 
and  feats  were  fixed.  They  were  fometimes  threat- 
ened to  be  treated  roughly,  but  thefe  threats  never 
were  executed.  Their  labours  proved  effectual,  and 
ffeveral  were  baptized,  and  a  church  conftituted.  Mr. 
Mullin  continued  to  vifit  them  flatedly,  for  twelve 
or  thirteen  years,  and  the  church  profpered.  After 
hi'.n,  they  chofe  Mr.  Philips  for  their  paitor,  who  had 
been  raifed  among  them.  Mr.  P.  not  being  a  man 
of  papular  talents,  the  church  rather  declined,  until 
a  little  time  before  his  death,  which  happened  in  the 
Spring  of  r8o5.  Truly,  could  it  be  faid  of  Mr.  P. 
that  his  lafl  days  were  his  befl:  days.  For  two  or  three 
years,  times  were  much  better  and  the  church  looked 
up.  Me  baptized  a  confiderable  number  within  about 
two  years  before  he  died.  He  is  one  of  the  very  few, 
concerning  whom,  there  is  any  good  ground  to  iup^ 
pofe,  that  his  death  was  brought  on  by  the  ordinance 
of  baptism.  Hiving  feveral  perfons  to  baptize,  on  a 
cold,  damp  day,  and  having  alio  to  preach  out  of  doors 
on  a  flage,  where  he  was  much  expofed  to  the  wind, 
he  obferved  to  fotne  of  his  friends,  that  he  had  rath" 
er  wear  out,  than  rust  out,  and  went  on  with  his  fer- 


136  HISTORY   (Mr   THE 

vice.  In  a  few  days,  he  was  taken  with  a  pleurily* 
In  his  illnefs,  he  appeared  to  have  and  to  enjoy  the  di- 
vine prefence,  in  a  glorious  manner,  so  long  as  he  was 
inhisfenfes  ;  and  even  in  his  delirium,  his  converfa- 
tion,  though  incoherent,  was  almoft  wholly  upon  re- 
ligion. Juil  before  he  died,  he  faid,  with  a  ftrong 
voice,  **  Come  let  us  go,"  and  immediately  fell  a  deep. 
If  any  Ihall  fay,  here  is  an  instance  of  baptism  killing 
a  perfon,  we  reply,  fo  it  may  be ;  yet,  it  proves,  that 
God  blelfes  the  ordinance,  either  by  preventing  any 
evil,  even  where  it  might  reafonably  be  looked  for, 
or  that,  permitting  the  evil,  he  makes  it  terminate  in 
the  greatest  good.  Since  Mr.  P's.  death,  they  have 
had  no  pastor,  but  have  had  preaching  from  neigh- 
bouring ministers,  and  from  fome  licensed  preachers 
in  their  own  church* 

AVICOMICO. 

This  church  was  taken  off  in  the  year  1 804,  from 
Moratico,  and  constituted  under  the  care  of  elder  Sa- 
muel Straughn.  Few  churches  enjoy  more  harmony 
and  brotherly  love,  than  this.  'J'hey  feek  not  their 
own  things,  but  the  things  of  Jesus  Chrift.  As  it  is 
a  new  church,  there  has  nothing  extraordinary  occur- 
red worthy  of  notice,  except  that  foon  after  their  con- 
stitution, they  had  a  comfortable  revival,  which  fwel- 
led  their  number  from  twenty,  to  two  hundred  and 
forty. 

Mr.  Straughn  was  baptized  about  the  year  1803, 
and  after  fome  time  began  to  preach.  His  gifts  are  of 
the  most  useful  sort.  He  is  *' an  eloquent  man  and 
mighty  in  the  scriptures."  As  he  is  still  young,  we 
will  only  add,  our  devout  wifhes,  that  he  may  goon 
in  the  way  he  has  begun,  and  that  he  may  abound 
more  and  more. 

MORATICO. 

This  has  been  a  church  of  as  high  standing,  as  any 
in   the    Dover  *Alibciation.     iVIr.  Lunsford  was  the 


DOVER   ASSOCIATION.  137 

moft  fuccefsful  Baptist  preacher  in  these  parts.  Soon  af- 
ter he  first  visited  them,  his  labours  were  ;)lelled,and  the 
church  was  constituted,  •  including  all  the  members 
Within  the  four  or  five  lowest  counties  in  the  Northern 
Neck.     It  appears,  from  their  church  book,   that  in 
no  great  while  after  they  were  organizcfi  as  a  church, 
they  were  respectable  both  for  numbers  and  for  men 
of  vveiiijht.     Mr.  1  .unstord  was  their  pastor,  from  the 
time  of  their  constitution,    until  his  death,      Niever 
was  minister  more  beloved  by  a   people,  and  nevf t, 
probably,  was  there  one  that  deferved  it  more.     He 
has  now  been  dead  rnore  than  fifteen  years,  and  yet 
he  is  feidom  mentioned,  by  any  of  the  mertibers  of  the 
church,  without  fome  lamentation.  [6ee  more  of  him 
in  his  Biographi/.^ 

When  Mr.  Lunsford  died  they  were  left  destitute. 
Mr.  Toler  attended  them  st  -tedly,  for  fome  time,  but 
being  nearly  forty  miles  from  them,  he  could  not  per- 
form thofe  duties  which  were  requifite.  In  the  year 
1799>  !^r.  Jacob  Creath  married,  and  fettled  within 
the  bounds  of  the  church.  Mr.  Creath  being  a  man 
of  talents>  the  church  foon  called  upon  him  to  take 
the  paftoral  care,  which  he  accepted.  Under  his 
minirtry,  they  feemed  rather  to  rife  ;  but  in  a  {ew 
years,  Mr  Creath  became  diffatisfied  with  his  circum- 
flances,  and  in  order  to  better  them,  moved  to  Ken- 
tucky, anno.  1803.  The  church  was  again  left  des- 
titute. Mr.  Toler  and  others  vifited  them  occafion- 
ally  until  about  1 808,  when  tl^y  procured  the  Itated 
fervices  of  elder  Samuel  Strau^hn,  a  preacher  >vho 
has  the  care  of  Wicomico  church,  and  who  had  been 
baptized  by  Mr.  Creath,  just  before  he  moved.  The 
church,  from  the  time  of  VI r.  Luns ford's  death,  had 
by  deaths,  removals,  &cc.  gradually  declined;  but  hw 
were  baptized.  But  within  three  or  four  years  pall, 
all  the  churches  in  the  Northern  Neck^  belonging  to 
the  -Dover  afTociation,  have  fomewhat  revived.  i\  1  o- 
ratico  among  the  reft,  has  gained  fome  ground, 
though  by  no  means  equal  to  fome  others.     The  re- 

S 


338  HISTORY  uv  THE 


mains  of  a  refpecflable  congregation  of  Presbyterians 
are  llill  in  this  neighbourhood.  This  congregation 
once  had  the  celebrated  Mr^  Waddell  for  their  ininif- 
ter.  Since  his  removal,  they  have  decUned,  until 
but  few  remain.  Their  meeting  houfe  is  occupied  by 
the  Baptifts  chiefly. 


GOSHEN    ASSOCIATION,  139. 


CHAPTER  XIIL 

History  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Orange  and  Goshen 
Associations y  from  1788,  until  the  present  time. 

The  proceedings  of  the  two  diftrids  North  of 
James  River,  from  the  divifion  of  the  General  Alfo- 
ciation  in  '83,  to  the  fub-diviiion  in  '88.,  have  alrea- 
dy been  given. 

After  the  feparation  from  the  Dover,  the  Orange 
AfTociation  met,  for  the  iirfl  time,  at  Crooked  Run 
meeting  houfe,  in  Culpeper  county.  May  8th,  1789- 
Letters  from  twenty- two  churches  were  received,  af- 
fording the  moft  pieafing  intelligence  of  the  fpread 
of  the  gofpel,  and  of  the  increafe  of  the  churches. 

OBoher  ()thy  1789. — They  met  at  Pamunkey  meet- 
ing houfe,  in  Orange  county. 

June  ^th,  1790. — Mr.  Leland,  as  moderator,  cal- 
led an  extraordinay  feffion  of  the  aflbciationatThom- 
fon's  meeting-houfe,  Louifa  county. 

OBoher  Sth,  1790. — They  met  at  Carter's  Run 
meeting  houfe,  in  Fauquier  county. 

OBoher  13th,  1791  •—They  met  at  Rappadan  meet- 
ing houfe,  Culpeper  county,  (now  Madifon.)^' 

There  was  no  bufinefs  tranfaded  at  £fny  of  these 
feffions,  which  will  not  he  noticed  in  fome  more  con- 
venient place  ',  except  the  divifion  of  Orange  diflri<5!: 
into  three  others,  by  which  the  name  Orange  was 
dropped.  The  entry  for  the  divilion  is  in  the  follow- 
ing words  : 

**  JFe  have  agreed  to  divide  our  association  into 
three  district  associations,  as  follows :  Beginning  at 
Fr.ederickshurg ;  thence  up  the  Rappahannock  River, 
to  Barret's  Fofd  ;  thence  along  the  Carolina  road,  to 


*  Messrs.  Waller  and  Leland  a6led  alternately  as  clerk  and  moderator,  un- 
til Mr.  Leland  removed  to  New-England  in  1790,  when  Mr.  John  Poindev, 
ter  was  appointed*clerk,  and  continued  until  the  divifion  of  the  affociatio      .; 


140  HISTORY   OF    THE 

the  Three  NotcJied  Uoad  ;  thence  doziii  the  same,  to 
the  Byrd  Ordinani ;  thence  down  the  Byrd  Creek,  to 
James  River,  to  compose  one  association,  to  be  known 
hj  the  name  of  ^*  Goshen  Associotwn.."  Secondly  ^ 
beginning  at  Barret's  Ford ;  thence  up  the  Rappadan, 
to  the  head  of  the  same,  leaving  Blue  Run  Church  to 
her  choice  which  of  the  two  upper  associations  she 
chooses  to  join.  All  the  churches  on  the  South  side  of 
the  said  boundaries,  to  compose  a  second  association, 
which  is  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  "  Albemarle 
Association.'*  Ihirdly ;  all  the  churches  on  the  ISiorth 
side  of  the  said  boundaries,  to  compose  a  third  asso- 
ciation,  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  **Culpeper 
Association." 

Of  these  three  districfls  we  must  treat  separately^ 
beginning  with  the  Goshen* 


GOSHEN    ASSOCIATION. 
TABLE  OF  THE  GOSHEN  ASSOCIATION. 


141 


Names  of 
Churches. 


k; 

o:^ 

•^ 

r»  2 

'=^r 

r  ■  f» 

E 

o 

3 

By  whom 

planted. 


Former 

pastors. 


Present 
pastors. 


Counties 


Wallers, 
3Iine*s  Road, 
Craig's, 
Pr/ney  Branch 
Massaponax, 
Wildsrness, 

Guineas, 

Fredericks^ 
burg, 

Zoar, 

Countt/  Line, 
Bethel, 
Burrus^s, 
William's, 

Licking  Hote, 

Thomson's,  or 
Goldmine. 

Roundaboulf 
Scarrot's, 
Little  River, 


1769 
1791 
1767 
1789 
178S 
1778 
1774 
I8U4 
3805 
1782 
1800 
1773 

1776 

1770 
1791 
1777 
1791 


N.  Fork,     ,,.^^ 


30 
40 
25 
40 
25 
25 
45 
15 
25 

66 

71 

S5 

1? 

50 
60 
65 
20 


35 
21 

40 

1156 

ISC 

175 

51 

45 

97 

108 

205 

IGO 

500 


i>.  Harriss,  ^ 
James  Read. 


J.  Waller. 

^.  Hurriss,  ^' 
James  Read, 

J.  Waller. 

T.  Mastin. 

Tos.  Bledsoe, 
L.  Craig  and 
A.  Dudlei/. 

J.  Waller. 
A,  Broaddus, 
J.  Lelqnd. 
J,  Waller. 

A.  Broaddus. 

S.  Hurriss,  ^ 
J.  Read. 

J.  Waller  and 
J.  Leland. 

J.  Waller  find 
R.  Ford. 


J.  Waller. 

//.  Pendle- 
ton. 

L.  Craig. 
H  Goodloe. 

T.  Mastin. 

J.  Bledf^oe, 
J.  Bledsoe. 

y.  Hollo- 
uay. 

A.  Broad- 

dUi. 

Nat.  Saun- 
ders. 


W.  Waller, 
J.  Waller. 

4,  Broad- 
du3. 


226 

04 

75 


S.  Harriss,^ 
J.  Read. 

J.  Waller. 
J.  Waller. 
J.  Waller. 


«» 'L.%X"1 


/.  Waller. 

J.  w.  n. 

Goodloe,  J. 
Poindexter 

It.  Ford  ^• 
11.  French. 

D.  Thomp- 
son, J.  Le 
land,  §f  G. 
^iorris. 

J  Poindex- 
ter, 

Jl.  Datl'3/)7! 

T.    and  A. 

Walkr. 

A.  Bicd-soe 


A.  Waller. 

li.  Pendle- 
ton. 

E.  AHl. 
H.  Goodloe 

A.  Waller. 
E,  Ehj. 

A.  Waller. 

4.   Broad' 
dus, 

4.  Waller. 

A.  BrOad- 

dus. 

A.  Broad- 
dus. 

E  Purring- 
ton. 

L.  Pag^. 

W.  WaUer. 

J.  Poindex- 
ter. 

II,  Goodloe. 
W.  Ccok. 


Spottsylva< 
uia, 

do. 
do, 
do. 
do. 
•  do^ 
do. 
do. 


do. 

Caroline  & 
Spottsylva.- 
nia. 

Caroline. 


do. 

Goochland 
&Lonisa. 

Good. land 

LouiSii. 
do. 

dc. 

Oransc, 


142  HISTORY   OF    THE 

This  alTociation  contains  all  the  churches  inthecounr 
ties  of  Spottsylvania  and  Louifa,  together  witliapart 
of  thofe  in  Caroline,  Hanover,  Goochland  and  Orange. 
They  held  their  firfl:  meeting  at  Roundabout  meet- 
ing houfe,  Louisa  county,  Friday  17th  October  1792. 
Letters  were  received  from  fifteen  churches,  eleven 
of  which  fent  an  account  of  their  numbers  in  full  fel- 
lowfliip,  amounting  to  1434,  in  which,  alfo,  it  was 
flated,  that  there  had  been  1 70  baptized  in  the  courfe 
of  the  preceding  year.  In  no  church,  is  any  revival 
mentioned,  except  at  the  Roundabout,  where  elder 
John  Poindexter  had  the  pafloral  care.  In  that  church 
there  had  been  one  hundred  and  nine  baptized  in  the 
courfe  of  one  year. 

No^bufinefs  of  a  general  nature  was  tranfad:ed,  and 
indeed  very  little  of  any  fort*  The  next  alTociation  was 
appointed  at  Burrus's  meeting  houfe  in  Caroline  ct'y. 
October  ISth,  1793. — They  met  according  to  ap- 
pointment. Letters  were  received  from  16  churches. 
Two  only  fpeak  of  a  revival,  viz.  Salem  and  Round- 
about ',  the  reft  complain  pf  great  coldnefs  and  lan- 
guor. The  Rev.  John  Waller,  the  oldeft  minifter  in 
the  aiTociation,  and  among  the  oldeft  in  Virginia,  ap- 
plied to  the  aftbci^itjon  for,  and  received  a  letter  of  re- 
commendation, having  resolved  to  move  toS.  Carolina. 

It  was  agreed  to  print  the  present  minutes.  The  next 
aiTociation  was  appointed  at  Thompfon's  meeting 
houfe,  Louisa  county. 

OB,  17//?,  1794. — They  met  according  to  appoint- 
ment. They  were  vifi ted  by  John  Waller,  a  father 
in  this  aflbciation.  Letters  from  17  churches  were 
read.  Several  churches  fpeak  of  hopeful  appearances, 
but  none  of  revivals  Since  the  iaft  alTociation,  it 
appears,  that  in  all  the  churches  there  were  i26  bap- 
tized. No  bufinefs  of  a  general  nature  was  tranfadt- 
cd.  The  next  aiTociation  was  appointed  at  Lledroe's 
meeting  houfe.  Orange  county,  beginning  on  the  third 
Saturday  in  Odober.* 

*  Upon  trial,  it  v;as  found  more  convenient  for  t1i<-   aCociation    o  ccn. 
mcr.ce  their  refllcns  en  Saturdays,  ar.d  adjourn  on  Mondays. 


GOSHEN    ASSOClA:tlON.  Ii3 

Saturdaih  OB.  iTih,  '95. — They  met  according  to 
appointment.  Letters  from  i7  churches  were  read. 
A  complaint  of  coldnefs  is  univerfal  in  all  the  church- 
es. The  afTociation  recommended  a  day  of  failing 
and  prayer,  to  be  obferved  throughout  the  churches, 
to  avert  the  dangers  apprehended  from  the  treaty  of 
amity  and  commerce,  between  Great  Britain  and  Ame- 
rica. This  meafure,  doubtlefs,  arofe  from  the  violent 
party  heat,  which,  at  that  time,  agitated  the  minds  of 
Americans  generally,  and  which  it  feems,  frequently 
made  its  way  into  the  pulpit  and  religious  affemblies. 
If  the  aflbciation  ftept  out  of  her  province,  by  an  in- 
terference in  political  meafures,  flie  feems  to  have 
done  it,  in  a  lafs  way.  Failing  and  prayer  will  fel- 
dom  do  us  much  injury,  although  we  m.ay  be  put  to  it, 
from  ftrange  caufes. 

The  following  query  was  introduced :  "  Has  a  mi- 
nifler  a  right  to  baptize  perjons,  and  join  them  to  a 
church  at  a  remote  dijiaiiee  ;*'  which  was  anfwered  in 
the  negative.  From  this  quere  and  folution,  it  feems, 
great  difturbance  arofe.  George  Morris,  an  ordained 
minifter,  had  been  in  the  habit  of  violating  this  rule. 
When  the  fubjecfl  was  debated  in  the  afTociation,  Mr. 
Morris  became  fo  exafperated,  that  he  abruptly  left 
his  feat,  and  went  home.  Continuing  flill  toprofcfs 
the  fame  principles,  and  publicly  to  cenfure  the  alio- 
ciation  for  their  decilion,  and  thereby  to  create  no 
little  confufion;  the  moderator  by  the  adviceof  friends, 
thought  proper  to  call  a  conference,  i.  e.  a  kind  of  oc- 
cafional  afTociation .  The  conference  accordingly  met 
at  Waller's  meeting  houfe,  on  the  firfl  Saturday  in  Ja- 
nuary 1796.  Thirteen  churches  were  reprefented, 
and  Morris  was  prefent.  The  moderator,  by  the  in- 
ftrudlion  of  the  conference,  asked  Morris  fuch  qu(^s- 
tions  as  tended  to  effect  a  reconciliation,  if  it  was  ppf- 
iible;  bnt  Morris  continued  refradory.  Whereupdn, 
he  was  cenfured  by  the  conference,  and  cited  to  ap- 
pear at  the  next  alTociation,  to  an  Twer  for  his  condufu 
At  the  next  afTociation  no  recgnci-liation  could  b®  ef-f 


144  HISTORY   Ol'    THE 

fe(5ted,  and  a  con'iinittee  was  appointed  to  deal  with 
Morris,  before  his  churches.  The  committee  re». 
ported,  that  they  had  fettled  the  exifting  difference, 
to  the  mutual  fatisfaction  of  all  parties.  This,  howJ 
eyer,  was  but  the  beginning  of  trouble  ariling  from 
Morris.  The  next  aflbciation  was  appointed  at  Wal- 
ler's meeting  houfe,  Spottfylvania  county. 

<  iB.  i^th,  J  796". — They  met  according  to  adjourn- 
ment. Only  1 2  churches  were  reprefented  :  Three* 
under  the  care  of  George  Morris,  adhered  to  him,  in 
his  conteft  with  the  aflbciation,  and  at  this  felTion 
wrote  to  the  aflbciation,  remonflrating  in  favour  of 
Morris.  A  committee  was  appointed  by  the  alfoci- 
ation  to  viiit  and  admonifh  thefe  churches.  Their 
return,  is  in  thefe  words : 

"  The  committee  are  happy  to  inform  the  churches, 
that  they  have  settled  the  ensling  differences,  to  the 
satisfaction  of  Elder  Morris,  and  his  churches.** 

For  the  credit  of  religion,  it  is  devoutly  to  be  wifh- 
ed  that  this  reconciliation  had  been  permanent.  But 
the  lequel  will  fhew,  that  Morris  was  not  for  peace. 

It  had  been  a  rule,  hitherto,  for  the  aflbciation  to 
appoint  quarterly  meetings,  from  year  to  year,  in  the 
different  parts  of  the  diflrid:.  At  this  feflion,  a  year- 
ly meeting,  to  lafl:  two  days,  was  agreed  on,  in  lieu  of 
quarterly  meetings  :'^  the  minifters  to  attend  them, 
were  nominated  by  the  aflbciation,  and  responsible 
for  failure. 

It  is  pleaflng  to  find,  from  the  record  of  this  afToci- 
ation,  that,  in  the  midll  of  diflrefs,  the  Lord  remem- 
bered mercy  to  fome  of  the  churches.  Two  church- 
es fpeak  of  a  comfortable  revival.  The  next  aflbci- 
ation was  appointed  at  Burrus's  meeting  houfe,  Ca> 
roline  county. 

Oct.  2\,  '91' — They  met  accordingto  appointment. 
Letters  were  received  from  17  churches,  moft  of  whom 
complain  of  coldnefs.  Some  precious  exceptions  how- 
ever, are  ma  de.     The  churches  at  Waller's,  Burrus^i. 

*  Ic  is  since  changed  to  ibur  days. 


^  GOSHEN    ASSOCIATION.  i-k' 

f 

and  Williams's  meeting  houfes,  fpeak  the  language  of 
praife.  At  this  affociation  was  elder  John  L eland, 
from  New-Bngland  :  his  preaching,  was  not  in  words 
onhj,  hut  m power  and  in  ths  Holy  Ghost  No  bufmefs 
worthy  of  hiftorical  attention  was  tranfa(fled.  It  was 
an  agreeable  time.  The  next  aflbciation  was  appoint- 
ed at  Fofter's  creek  meeting  houfe,  Louifa  county. 

October  2o//z,  1798. — They  met  according  to  ap- 
pointment. Letters  froiti  16  churches  were  receiv- 
ed. With  scarcely  an  exception,  they  all  exprefied 
fad  complaints  of  a  declenlion  in  religion.  No  im- 
portant matter  was  taken  up.  Except  the  revifal  of 
the  confeffion  of  faith.  The  next  ajTociation  was 
appointed  at  WiUernefs  meeting  houfc  Spotsylvania 
county. 

October  iQth,  lygg- — Letters  from  iS  churches 
were  received.  It  appears  to  have  been  a  comforta- 
ble feaion.  The  following  is  an  extrad"  from  the 
general  obfervations  made  in  the  record-book.  No- 
thing of  the  pleaiing  kind  appears  on  the  face  of  the 
letters,  except  a  ipint  of "  general  love  and  union.  It 
was  at  this  ieffion  that  elder  H.  French,  and  his 
church  at  Licking  Hole,  was  received  as  a  part  of 
this  ailbciation.  No  bulinefs  of  a  general  nature,  not 
mentioned  elfewhere,  occupied  their  attentioUiat  this 
feffion.  1  he  next  alTociation  was  appointed  at  Coun- 
ty Line  meeting  house,  Caroline  county,  to  com- 
mence on  the  3d  Friday  in  O^lober. 

October  \6th,  1801. — Letters  from  21  chuiches 
were  received,  all  of  whom,  either  fay,  that  they  are 
in  a  flate  ot  languor,  or,  that  the  revival  is  in  a  flate 
of  declenlion.  Winter  and  Summer  do  not  more  re- 
gularly facceed  each  other  in  the  natural  world,  than 
revivals  and  declenlions,  in  the  religious.  A  good  God 
makes  them  both  fubferve  his  purpofe.  The  next  ai*- 
fociation  was  appointed  at  Roundabout  meeting  houfe, 
to  commence  the  fecond  Saturdav  in  October. 

T 


14(5  HISTORY   OF    THE 

During  this  year,  a  mournful  fcene  topk  plac'c. 
George  Morris,  (of  whofe  turbulent  deportment  to- 
wards the  association,  mention  has  already  been 
made,)  a  preacher  of  fome  talents,  who  iiad  the  paf- 
toral  and  partial  care  of  three  churches,  was  by 
common  report  charged  with  crimes  of  the  deepest 
dye.  Such  was  his  influence  with  the  church,  of 
which  he  was  a  member,  thst  notwithstanding  the 
reports  were  well  authenticated,  they  paid  no  atten- 
tion to  them  until  urged  to  it  by  a  committee  appoin- 
ted by  the  association.  Morris  contrived  to  keep 
back  many  of  the  charges,  and  finally  to  obtain  from 
the  church,  a  favourable  deciiion  as  to  fuch  as  were 
exhibited.  The  moderator  of  the  aflbciation,  who 
was  one  of  the  committee,  finding  the  matter  thus 
fmothered,  to  the  disgrace  of  religion,  called  the  af- 
fociation  together.  I'hey  met  in  conference  at  Wal- 
ler's meeting  houfe,  on  the  4th  Saturday  in  Februar^^ 
20  churches  fent  deputies.  After  a  fair  and  full  in- 
velliisration  of  the  bufinefs  before  the  conference,  it 
was  decided  that  Morris  was  guilty  of  the  crime?  laid 
to  his  charge,  and  that  the  church  had  manifeftcd  a 
criminal  partiality  in  retaining  him  inher  fellowfhip. 
The  church  was  excluded  from  the  afibciation,  and  a 
committee  appointed  by  the  conference,  to  vifit  them, 
for  the  purpofe  of  pronouncing  the  fentence  of  exclu- 
fion,  as  alfo  to  invite  a  minority  of  the  church,  who 
differed  from  the  other  part,  to  form  a  church  among 
themf  elves. 

The  nev/  church,  under  the  name  of  Goldmine^ 
was  accordingly  conftituted,  and  in  a  little  time  was 
joined  by  feveral  of  the  majority.  But  what  was 
more  confoling,  they  weie  blefied  with  the  out-pour-» 
ing  of  the  holy  fpirit.  A  precious  revival  enfued. 
AT  any  were  added  by  baptism.  Morris  and  his  par- 
ity, as  being  the  majority,  retained  the  old  meeting 
housCj  and  kept  up  preaching.  But  to  them  none 
were  disposed  to  unite  themselves.  After  a  vain  at- 
tempt for  two  or  thrcQ  years  to  fland  upotn  indepen- 


GOSHEN    ASSOCIATION.  147 

dent  ground,  being  forfaken  by  their  mod  respe(5tabfe 
members,  Morris  propoled  that  he  and  his  party 
fhould  again  coalesce  with  the  Goldmine  church,  by 
making  conceflions :  To  this,  the  Goldmine  churcli 
replied,  that  they  were  at  all  titnes^  readi/  to  hear  what 
amj  individuals  of  them  had  to  sai/,  but  could  not  re- 
ceive them  as  a  body,  seeing  this,  would  retognize  in 
them,  a  character,  which  they  had  hitherto  discounter 
nanced.  Another  reafor^  it  was  said,  exifted  for  not 
receiving  them  into  their  body,  viz.  tlicre  were  among 
theniy  many  persons,  under  the  imputation  of  gross  im- 
moralities. So  the  matter  refls.  Morris,  and  fome 
of  the  mofl  obftinate  of  his  party,  continue  out  of 
communion.  The  churches  called  Salem  and  Bethef- 
da,  of  whom  Morris  had  the  miniflerial  care,  ad- 
hered to  him  in  his  conteft.  These  churches  were 
alfo  expelled  from  the  aiTociation,  and  a  new  one  form- 
ed out  of  the  minority,  received  In  thefe  proceed- 
ings, fome,  who  were  by  no  means  favourable  to  iMor- 
ris,  were  of  opinion,  that  the  aiTociation  were  in  fome 
of  her  meafures,  rather  precipitate  ;  not  uiing,  to- 
wards the  churches  deluded  by  Alorris,  a  fufficient 
degree  of  lenity.  Such  opinions,  were  probably  in- 
duced by  a  partial  view  of  the  fubjed,  efpecially  thro' 
the  want  of  fufficient  acquaintance  with  the  intriguing 
temper  of  Morris.  The  following  is  a  Ihort  comment 
made  on  his  charadter  by  the  fecretary,  and  fandion^ 
ed  by  the  afibciation. 

*  Like  Diotrephcshe  loved  and  sought  the  pre-emi^ 
nence.  Jealousy  and  disonteni  apparently  were  his 
inseparable  concomitants.  In  a  word,  he  was  not  un- 
like Jude's  wandering  stars,  alcC'ays  uiijlcady,  until 
they  shoot  in  some  eccentric  direction,  and  Ikappear 
forever." 

Having  given  a  fuccindt  account  of  this  (chistn, 
from  iirft  to  lafl,  it  is  proper  to  return  to  the  com- 
mon  proceedings  of  the  afibciation. 

October  it^th,  1802. — The  aflbciaitron  met  accord- 
ing to  appointment.     Letters  were  received  from  18 


MS  m STORY   OP   THE 

churches.     The  comment  made  by  die  secretary,  ss 
to  tlie  ftate  of  religion,  is  in  the  following  words: 

*'It  appears  as  if  poor  Zion  wilt  shake  to  her  centre, 
and  her  watchmen  proclaim,  the  glorif  is  departed  from 
Israel.  Yet  the  ?nightij  God  of  Jacob  2s  JUII  the 
same,  and  his  everlasting  arms  are  undtrutaih  the 
7nourmng  sons  of  Zion,  Several  of  our  churches  seem 
iq  enjoy  gentle  breezes  of  dh^ine  grace,"  <*('C.  ^-c. 

In  Bethel  church,  one  of  the  conllituents  of  this 
aiTociation,  a  rule  h^d  been  formed,  by  a  large  majo- 
rity, compelling  each  perfon,  unaer  the  penalty  of 
the  displcafure  of  the  church,  to  contribute  towards 
her  expcnces,  according  to  what  he  was  worth.  This 
rule,  gave  great  umbrage,  not  only  to  a  minority  in 
the  church,  but  to  other  churches  likev/ise.  .Uthis 
a/Tociation,  a  (lucry  was  introduced  in  the  following 
words : 

"  JJocs  the  association  approbate  a  church  that  rat' 
ses  moneif,  hij  ojjcfjing  her  members  ?'* 
Which  received  the  following  solution  : 
"  Jfe  do  not  approbate  the  methad  of  raising  money 
hy  aff'effmentSf  upon  the  principle  of  itsnot  being  Jane-- 
tioned  by  new  tefiament  examples,  and  the  general 
principles  of  the  Baptijis,  and  because  of  the  unhap- 
py confiquences,  which  may  rcjult  from  such  a  piadiice," 
Would  not  the  Iplutioa  to  this  query,   have  been 
better  thus  ? 

I'he  new  tefiament  certainly  requires  of  every  mem- 
ber of  a  church  to  contribute  to  the  expences  of  reli- 
gion, according  to  what  he  hath ;  but  fays  nothing 
how  this  mail  be  carried  into  eftedt;  leaving  the 
mode  of  cpileding  discretionary.  We  are  therefore 
perfuaded,  that  the  above  mode  is  lawful  :  but  all 
things  that  are  ia\vful,  are  not  expedient.  We  are  of 
opinion  that,  at  this  time,  this  mode  is  not  expedient, 
because  of  the  prejudices  of  many,  who  have  not 
rightly  confidered  the  fubjedt. 

This  was  an  agreeable  ftffion.  The  next  afibciation 
was  appointed  at  Licking  Hole  meeting  houfe. 


COSIIEN    ASSOCIATION^  li9 

Octohtr  i^th,  1803. — Letters  from  16  churches 
Were  read.  The  comment  made  by  the  fecretary  was, 
"  That  the  letters  breath  the  spirit  of  universal  love 
and  harmony,  but  complain  of  coldnefs."  Of  theaf- 
fociation,  he  fays,  "  Much  peace  and  love  prevaikd^ 
among  the  members  of  this  ajjocmtion,  during  the 
whole  fejfion.'* 

It  was  at  this  feffion,aJiey  firfh  took  up  the  bufinefs 
of  compofing  a  hiftory  of  the  Baptifts,  in  the  Gofhen 
dlftridl,  and  accordingly  made  an  order  requcfting 
the  churches  to  fend  accounts  to  the  next  afibciation. 
'Jhis  plan  was  afterwards  relinquiflied  in  favour  of 
the  prefent  work.  The  next  affociation  was  appoint- 
ed at  Bethel  meeting  houfe,  Caroline  county. 

O(3o6e/"  20//^  1804. — Letters  from  18  churches 
were  read.  In  a  few  churches  revivals  are  mentioned. 
All  the  churches  Icem  to  enjoy  peace.  The  next  af- 
fociation was  appointed  at  Waller's  meeting  houfe. 

October  igthy  1805. —  Letters  were  received  from 
18  churches.  Two  or  three  churches  fpeak  of  re- 
vivals. From  the  foregoing  affociation  2  f  6  had  been 
baptized.  Thelftiext  ailbciation  was  appointed  at 
Goldmine  meeting  houfe,  Louisa  county. 

OBober  iSth,  i806 — Letters  from  18  churches 
were  received.  No  revival;  yet  times  were  rather  pro- 
miling  than  otherv/ife.  The  fubjedl  of  encouraging 
miflionaries,  was  taken  up  in  this  feffion.  I'he  affo- 
ciation expreffed  her  approbation  of  encouraging  mif- 
lionaries, to  travel  and  preach  the  gofpel  among  the 
Indian  tribes,  provided  any  pradticable  plan  could  be 
invented. 

During  the  foregoing  year,  and  for  many  years,  the 
churches  had  been  much  ijnipofcd  upon  by  certain  im- 
poffors,  who  went  under  the  appellation  of  Baptiff 
preachers.  In  order  to  dete(5t  fuch  charaders,  the 
affociation  entered  into  the  following  refolution  : 

"  In  order  to  detedl  impoftors  travelling  through 
the  churches,  under  the  name'ofiicenfed  or  ordainei 


150  ursToiiv  or  thl 

Baptifl  preachers,  this  alTociatlon  refolves  to  adopt  the 
following  method,  viz. 

*'  Every  flranger  coming  under  the  name  of  a  Bap- 
tift  preacher,  Ihall  produce  to  the  church  where  he 
may  preach,  or  have  opportunities  to  preach,  a 
copy  of  the  minutes  of  the  aiTociation,  where  he  pro- 
h&s  himfelf  a  member,  Ihewing  his  name  in  the 
lift  of  delegates.  The  minutes  to  be  dated  within 
one  year."  d| 

The  afibciation  authorifea  the  fecretary  to  publilTi 
this  refolution  in  fome  public  paper  printed  in  the 
city  of  Richmond,  recommending  and  requcfting,  at 
the  fame  time,  the  adoption  of  a  iimilar  rule  by  all 
our  fifter  allbciations  in  the  ftate.  Nothing  could  be 
more  falutary  than  a  regulation  of  this  sort.  The 
fociety  had  been  much  difgraced  by  fome  of  these 
miscreants,  who  had  been  foilered  by  unexperienced 
well-meaning  Baptifts.  The  next  ailbciation  was  ap- 
pointed at  Guinea's  Bridge  meeting  house.* 

Several  excellent  circular  letters  were  written  for 
this  alTociation  by  MelTrs,  A.  Broaddus,  A.  Waller 
and  John  Poindexter,  alternately  -,  but  bejng  chiefly 
on  dodrines  of  divinity,  often  tre^ed  of  in  religious 
books,  they  have  not  been  noticed/ 

CHAPTER  XIV, 

Ihsiorical  Skeichcs  of  the  Churches,  ii}  Goshen  Asso- 
ciation. 

WALLER'S. 

This  is  a  mother  church  indeed.  Their  correspon- 
ding letter  to  the  ailbciation  in  1791 ,  fays,  *'  We  have 
lately  conftituted  two  new  churches,  which  make  fif- 

*  Al'hough  there  have  been  several  sessions  since  j8o6,  yet  as  cur  inanul- 
cript  was  finished  previous  to  receiving  any  intormation  o:  them,  we  can  on- 
ly say  ther;  was  nothing  vtry  rcraarkabk. 


GO'SMEN    ASSOCIATION.  15i 

teen,  that  have  be^n  taken  off  from  our  church." 
She  was  firft  called  Lower  Spottfylvania,  in  contra- 
diftlndlion  to  Upper  Spottfylvania,  now  called  Craig's. 
Elder  John  Waller  was  chofen  paftor  January  2d, 
'70,  which  was  a  few  months  after  the  church  was 
conflituted:  he  continued  to  fill  that  office,  until  '93, 
when  he  rftbved  to  S.  Carolina.  When  Mr.  J.  Wal- 
ler declared  himfelf  independent,  this  church  adher- 
ed to  him,  and  was  of  cpbrfe  excluded  from  the  af- 
ibciation.  When  he  was  reinftated,  fo  was  the  church. 
It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  although  Mr.  Waller 
was  an  Armiiiian,  and  on  that  account  broke  with  the 
alTociation,  and  carried  with  him  this  church,  yet  the 
church  was  far  from  being  unanimoufly  Arminian. 
Some  of  Mr.  Waller's  neareft  relatives,  ftood  firm  to 
the  gofpel  plan.  At  one  time,  previous  to  Mr.  Wal- 
ler's reinftatement  into  the  alTociation,  there  were 
few,  if  any  iefs,  than  1500  members  in  this  church. 
Although  flie  has  had  various  ebbs  and  flows, 
,and  knows  well  the  difference  between  declenfions 
and  revivals,  yet  few,  if  any,  have  experienced  more 
uninterrupted  profperity.  Of  fo  much  importance 
to  the  good-ftanding  of  a  church,  is  an  exemplary 
preacher,  who  underflands  the  art  of  combining  the 
hearts  of  all,  in  one  great  object.  It  feemed  provi- 
dential, that,  when  their  former  paflor  who  had  grown 
old,  and  thought  proper  to  change  his  place  of  resi- 
dence, their  prefent  paflor  was  ripe,  both  in  talents 
and  experience,  to  fill  his  place  ;  and  it  would  feem, 
had  obtained  his  uncle's  mantle  and  a  double  portion 
of  his  fpirit,  for  under  his  care,  the  church  has  flou- 
rifhed  more,  than  under  that  of  their  firfl  paflor.— 
They  have  one  of  the  beft  built  and  moil  comforta- 
ble meeting  houfes,  in  Virginia,  For,  however  the 
Baptiils  may  excel  in  matters  of  greater  magnitude, 
they  cannot  be  admired  for  the  elegance  or  conveni- 
ence of  their  houfes  of  worfhip. 

In  'Bj,  the  fet  time  to  favour  this  part  of  Zion  ar- 
rived, aad  under  the  miniflry  of  elder  Harris  who  was 


15i  IHSTOEY   OP    Till: 

now  on  a  vifit  to  them,  this  revival  bur  fled  forth,  on 
every  hand,  nor  did  the  warceafe,  until  many  of  the 
fonsand  daughters  of  the  enemy  of  God,  fellasvid- 
ims  to  invincible  grace.  Aboat  200  were  baptized. 
In  '96,  as  if  to  encourage  their  young  and  ardent 
pailor,  God  granted  a  heavenly  move,  among  the  peo- 
ple, and  Mr.  Waller  baptized  fifty-four.  £ew  years 
have  elapfed,  in  which  there  were  not  fome  baptized* 

jMINE  4dad. 

This  is  a  fmall  church,  taken  off  from  Waller's  in 
'9 1 ,  Mr.  Henry  Pendleton,  was  ordained  to  the  care 
of  the  church,  at  the  time  of  the  conftitution.  From 
firil  to  laffc,  this  church  has  rather  dragged  on  heavily, 
having  had  no  revival,  or  none  to  any  extent.  Their 
present  number  is  now  lefs  than  at  their  firfl  confti- 
tution. 

They  have  however,  fome  ufeful  members,  among 
whom  is  Mr.  Henry  Pendleton,  senior,  father  of  the 
preacher,  andhimfelf  a  preacher,  in  another  fenfe. — 
He  preaches  by  a  pious  v/alk  and  godly  converfation. 
Pie  is  now  a  venerable  old  man,  of  about  fourfcore 
years  of  age. 

Henry  Pendleton,  their  firfl  paftor,  was,  until  a 
few  years  before  his  death,  confidered  a  very  pious  and 
rational  man  He  had  fallen  into  the  Arminian  fyf- 
tem,  to  which  he  adhered  in  all  its  branches,  but  be- 
ing viewed  as  a  pious  man,  was  held  in  eftimation. 
Strange  to  tell,  in  1 800,  he  put  an  end  to  his  own  ex- 
iftance,  by  (hooting  himfelf.  His  conduct  for  fome 
length  of  time  previous  to  this  fatal  extent,  indica- 
ted fome  degree  of  melancholy  insanity:  To  this 
ftate  of  mind,  charity  requires  us,  to  afcribe  an  adl  fo 
unpardonable,  if  perpetrated  by  one  not  in  a  ftate  of 
infanity. 

Elder  Philip  Pendleton,  is  their  prefent  paftor, 

CRAIG'S. 

This  church,  formerly  called  Upper  Spottiylvania, 
is  the  oldeft  conftitution  between  James  and  Rappa- 


GOSHEN    ASSOCIATION.  l53 

hannock  rivers.  It  was  not  until  N  ovember  '70,  about 
three  years  after  their  conilitution  that  they  received 
Lev/is  Craig  as  paflor.  Under  his  care,  and  previous- 
ly, this  was  a  flourilhing  church.  In  76,  the  word 
of  God  grew  mightily  among  them,  and  one  hundred 
were  added.  Hut  in  '81,  to  the  great  mortification 
of  the  remaining  members,  Mr  Craig  with  mod:  of  the 
church,  moved  to  Kentucky.  Soon  after  this  event, 
this  mother  church  was  o|||iged  to  relinqtiilb  her  con- 
flitution,  In  '83,  being  reinforced  by  fome  nev/  re- 
cruits, they  resumed  their  conilitution.  They  have 
not  flourifhedof  late,  as  much  as  fome  other  church- 
es ;  yet  their  number,  though  fmall,  contains  fome 
worthy  charad:ers,  on  whofe  fhoulders  the  govern- 
ment of  the  church  feems  chiefly  to  refL 

For  a  feafon,  they  had  elder  Ephraim  Abel  for  their 
paftor,  but  he  alfo  moved  away.  At  prefent,  elder 
Edward  Elly  attends  them  occafionally. 

PYNEY  BRANCH. 

This  church  was  taken  ofF  from  Waller's.  Their 
meeting  houfe  is  about  twelve  or  fourteen  ifiiles  from 
Fredericksburg.  They  have  had,  from  firii  to  lall, 
as  their  paftor,  elder  Henry  Goodloe.  Nothing-  re- 
markable has  occurred  in  this  church.  Their  courfe 
has  been  fmooth  and  even,  having  had  neither  revi- 
vals, nor  declenfions,  worthy  of  note.  They  began 
with  the  number  of  forty,  and  they  continue  nearly 
at  the  fame  ftand. 

Elder  Jeremiah  Chandler,  has  lately  become  a  min- 
iiler  here,  and  has  been  ufeful  in  the  miniftry.  The 
church  appears,  of  late,  rather  to  be  on  the  increafe. 

JMASSAPONAX. 

This  church  is  in  the  vicinity  of  Fredericksburg. 
Mellrs.  Dudley,  Schackleford  and  \Iafon^  had  preach- 
ed with  fome  fuccefs  in  this  neighbourhood,  previous 
to  the  year  '85,  when  Mr.  Maftin  moved  among 
them.     Some  who  were  feals  to  the  miniflry  of  the 

U  ^    v: 


I5i  HISTORY    OF    THE 

lirfl  named  preachers,  were  baptized  by  Mr.  Maftin. 
Thefe,  together  with  a  confiderable  number  who 
profefled  faith,  under  the  miniflry  of  Maflin,  were 
conftitiited  anno  '88.  Mr.  Maflin  was  a  confirmed 
Arminian,  having  been  ordained  to  the  miniftry  by 
Mr.  J.  Waller,  in  the  time  of  his  independence. — 
Molt  of  thofe  who  had  been  profelyted  by. his  minif- 
try, received  the  flamp  of  his  principles,  whilfl  a  ref- 
pedable  part  of  the  churc*|||  who  had  been  illumined 
through  the  miniflry  of  otliers,  were  of  Calviniflic 
fentiments.  This  diverfity  of  opinion,  was  afource 
of  great  unhappinefs  among  them.  The  Arminian 
party,  were  moil  numerous,  and  were  not  only  un-^ 
found  in  principle,  but  negligent  in  discipline.  It 
feems  indeed,  that  Mr.  Maflin,  in  receiving  and  bap- 
tizing members,  was  too  remifs,  which,  together 
with  the  flacknefs  of  his  discipline,  after  they  were 
received,  proved  a  fource  of  much  confufion  and 
disorder.  There  were  a  few,  who  were  much  cha- 
grined at  these  things.  They  took  opportunities  to 
remonilrate  againfl  them  with  the  paftor,  as  also 
againfl  his  legal  doctrines.  He  was  displeafed.  In 
1801,  elder  Hipkins  Pitman,  who  was  a  fupporter  of 
Calvinifm,  moved  into  the  bounds  of  this  church. — 
I]  is  miniftry  being  acceptable  to  that  part  of  the 
church  who  coincided  with  him  ;  Mr.  Maflin  grew' 
jealous,  and  almoll:  declined  preaching  among  them. 
Finally,  the  contefl  rifing  to  great  height,  the  church 
withdrew  from  the  care  of  Mr.  Maflin,  and  chofe 
MefTrs.  Pitman  and  A.  Waller  to  attend  them 
jointly.  The  enfuing  year,  Mr.  Waller  was  called 
to  take  charge  of  the  church,  as  a  flated  minifler. 
Under  him,  as  their  preacher,  they  have  been  a  hap- 
py people,  and  the  church  has  Increafed. 

WILDERNESS. 

% 

This  is  a  numerous  church,   in  the  upper  end  of 

Spottfylvania.     They  had  for  their  firft  pallor,  Jofeph 
liledfoe.  They  were  not  happy  under  his  care.  When 


DOVER    ASSOCIATION.  15m' 

he  moved  to  Kentucky,  his  brother,  Aaron  Bledfoe^ 
became  their  ftated  miniller.  In  '88>  they  enjoyed 
the  Imiles  of  Heaven,  in  a  precious  revival,  condusfl- 
ed  chiefly  under  the  miniftry  of  Aaron  Bledfoe.  The 
church  increafed  to  one  hundred  and  thirty.  Mr. 
B's.  labours  were  much  blefied  among  them,  until 
fome  unhappinefs  arifmg  from  his  eccentric  flights, 
be  refigned  liis  care. 

Since  that  time,  Mr.  Bawai'd  Eily  has  been  anoc- 
caiional  pallor  for  them.  Mr.  Elly  is  a  worthy  man, 
and  a  found  preacher.  The  church  has  enjoyed  peace 
and  harmony  under  his  miniilry.   - 

It  v/as  in  this  church  that  Thomas  Bridges,  now  a 
prisoner  in  the  Penitentiary  for  horfe-ftealing,  was 
baptized  in  '88,  Bridges  began  to  preach.  Soon 
after,  he  was  baptized  ;  but  being  very  illiterate,  and 
of  obfcure  parentage,  he  was  not  much  noticed  in  his 
own  neighbourhood.  He  was,  however,  fo  far  encou- 
raged by  the  church,  as  to  obtain  ordination  :  having 
from  his  youth,  a  propenfity  to  lying,  he  was  deted:- 
ed  in  this  mean  pradice,  after  he  commenced  preach- 
er :  The  church,  however,  admitting  his  excufes, 
did  not  exclude  him.  Feeling  restless  under  these 
charges,  he  asked  and  obtained  a  letter  of  difmidioa 
from  the  church  :  He  now  travelled  off  into  Loudon, 
and  the  adjacent  counties,  where  he  became  conli- 
derably  popular  as  a  preacher.  He  certainly  had 
fome  talents.  He  was  fluent  in  his  delivery,  and  for 
his  education,  Ipoke  in  handsome  language.  His 
memory  was  exceedingly  retentive,  and  he  had  after 
becoming  a  preacher,  read  a  good  deal.  He  had  al- 
fo  a  large  flock  of  that  kind  of  wit,  which  pleafes 
without  profiting  ;  but,  in  point  of  judgment,  he  was 
probably  as  deficient  as  ever  man  was.  His  opinions 
upon  fubjed:s,  that  he  had  often  studied  and  discuf- 
fed,  were  always  ^ncorredt;  upon  ojihers,  he  was  a 
mere  child.  After  ail,  it  is  not  likely  that  Bridges 
would  ever  have  become  fo  entirely  abandoned,  had 
he  not  unfortunately  married  a  wife  with  a  coniidorabls 


Ijo  history  of  'iiii: 

estate;  by  which,  his  fpirits  being  elevated  far  above 
their  common  level,  he  lost  all  the  stock  of  prudence 
he  previously  poiTeired.  Not  accustomed  to  the  ma- 
nagement of  property  to  any  tolerable  extent,  he  foon, 
very  foon,  fpent  what  he  had  gotten  by  marriage. 
Still  retaining  the  relifli  for  his  new  fphere  of  adlion  ; 
but  having  lost  all  lawful  refources,  he  strangely  re- 
forted  to  the  fliocking  alternative  of  stealing  horfes. 
For  which,  being  condemn'ld  in  1803,  he  was  con- 
iined  in  the  Penitentiary,  where  he  is  now. 

GUINEA'S  BRIDGE. 

This  church,  so  called  from  its  vicinity  to  a  bridge 
o£  thai;  name,  is  a  church  of  high-ftanding,  having  a 
number  of  pious  and  worthy  members.  The  gofpel 
was  preached  here,  in  its  power  and  purity,  at  an  ear- 
ly date  after  the  rife  of  the  Baptifts.  This  place  was 
not  without  its  perfecutors  alfo.  At  one  tim^e,  feve- 
ral  preachers  were  apprehended,  by  virtue  of  a  war- 
rant from  a  magiftrate  ;  Among  them  v/as  Joseph 
Craig,  remarkable  for  his  eccentric  manners.  On 
their  way  to  the  magiftrate 's  houfe,  Mr. «  raig  think- 
ing it  no  dishonour  to  cheat  the  devil,  as  he  temied  it, 
flipped  off  the  horse,  and  took  to  the  buflies.  They 
hunted  him  with  dogs,  but  Asahel  like,  being  light 
of  foot,  he  made  good  his  retreat. 

The  church  was  confbituted  under  the  care  of  Mr. 
N.  liolloway.  After  various  fuccefs,  Mr.  Holloway 
left  them,  and  moved  to  the  county  of  Hallifax.  They 
then  procured  the  rtated  miniftration  of  Elder  John 
Waller,  under  whose  care,  they  were  profper- 
ed. 

In  1787.  the  Lord  poured  out  his  fpirit  abundant- 
ly, and  many  were  turned  to  righteoufnefs,  more 
than  100  were  added.  After  the  removal  of  Mr.  J. 
Wallet,  in  1793,  they  were  deftitute  of  ftated 
preaching,  for  feveral  years.  So  great  was  the  de- 
cline,   that  they  had  ferious  thoughts  of  difiblving 


GOSHEN    ASSOCIATION.  157 

their  conftitution,  but  finally  having  obtained  the  re- 
gular niiniilrations  of  A.  Waller,  they  again  raifed 
their  heads.  In  1800,  they  had  the  happinefs  to  fee  a 
precious  work  of  God  among  them.  As  many  as 
104  were  baptized,  and  fome  of  them  were  clever 
and  ufeful  men.  Their  meeting  houfe  is  a  very  fhort 
diftance  from  the  county  line,  in  Caroline.  Mr^ 
Waller  flill  attends  them. 

FREDERICKSBURG. 

This  church,  in  the  town  of  the  fame  name,  is  a 
fmall  but  happy  one.  They  have  no  relident  paftor, 
but  are  fupplied  by  Mr.  A.  Broaddus,  who  attends 
them  monthly.  If  there  is  any  objection  to  Mr.  B's. 
minillry  in  this  city,  it  is,  that  he  is  too  popular  with 
the  irreligious.  It  may  be  said  of  him,  as  was  said 
of  Ezekiel. — '*  Lo  !  thou  art  unto  them,  as  a  very 
lovely  sojtg,  of  one,  that  hath  a  pleasant  voice,  and 
can  play  well  on  an  infirument :  For  they  hear  thy 
words,  hut  they  do  them  not,'*  1  his  remark  by  no 
means  applies  to  the  church,  for  although  they  hear 
with  much  pleafure,  they  pradtise  \vith  more.  It  is 
a  young  and  riling  church. 

ZOAR. 

This  is  a  fmall  church  m.ade  up  of  certain  mem- 
bers who  felt  themfelves  aggrieved  by  the  condu(5t 
of  the  .Salem  and  Black- Walnut  churches,  in  the 
affair  of  Morris  ;  and  therefore  formed  themfelves 
into  a  feparate  church. 

The  two  churches  out  of  which  Zoar  arofe  were 
originally  the  fruits  of  ;>  r.  John  Leland's  labours.  Mr, 
Leland  was  a  native  of  Worcefter  in  Maffachufetts, 
was  baptized  in  1774,  and  in  the  fall  of  1776  he 
married  and  moved  to  Virginia  and  settled  in  the 
county  of  Orange  in  the  neighbourhood  of  tbofe 
churches.  He  continued  in  Virginia  about  fourteen 
years,  in  which  time  he  travelled  and  preached  very 
extenfively  and  very  fuccefsfully.      He  baptized  be- 


i5S  L'lSTORY    or    THE 

tween  fix  and  feven  hundred  perfons  while  in  the 
ilate,  and  in  January  1791,  he  removed  to  MalTa- 
chufetts,  and  fettled  in  Chefhire.  Mr.  Leland,  as 
a  preacher,  was  probably  the  most  popular  of  any 
that  ever  reiided  in  this  state.  He  is  unquestiona- 
bly a  man  of  fertile  genius.  His  opportunities  for 
fchool  learning,  were  not  great;  but  the  energetic 
vigour  of  his  mind  quickly  furmounted  this  deficien-r 
cy.  His  memory  was  fo  retentive,  that  by  a  fmgle 
reading  he  stored  up  more  of  the  contents  of  a  book, 
than  many  would  by  a  dozen  careful  perusals.  It  is 
probable  that  his  knowledge  derived  from  books,  at 
this  day,  taken  in  the  aggregate,  is  furpaffed  by  few. 
His  preaching,  though  immethodical  and  eccentric, 
is  generally  wise,  warm  and  evangelical.  There  are 
not  many  preachers  who  have  fo  great  command  of 
the  attention  and  of  the  feelings  of  their  auditory. 
In  effecting  this,  his  manner  has  been  thought  by 
fome  to  approach  too  near  to  the  theatrical,  Cowper, 
the  poet,  fays, 

'•  He  that  negociates  between  God  and  man, 
"  As  God's  ambassador,  the  grand  concerns 
"  Of  judgment  and  of  mercy,  should  beware 
"  Of  lightness  in  his  speech.'' 

Here  Mr.  Leland  and  the  poet  are  at  variance ;  he 
does  fometimes,  and  indeed  not  unfrequently,  **  court 
the  skittish  fancy  with  facetious  tales."  If  Cowper 
fays,  so  did  not  Paul ;  Leland  can  say,  fo  did  George 
Whitefield,  Rowland  Hill,  &cc.  and  they  have  been 
the  moft  fuccefsful  of  modern  preachers.  Mr.  Le- 
land's  free  and  jocund  manners,  have  excited  the  fuf- 
picions  of  fome,  that  he  wanted  ferious  pietv.  His 
intimate  friends,  are-,confident  that  thefe  are  ground- 
lefs  fufpicions.  Thoy  believe,  that,  among  his  other 
Angularities,  he  is  fmgularly  pious.  ^\  bile  in  Virgi- 
nia, he  wrote  feveral  treatises,  and  was  certainly  very 
inftrumental  in  effeding  the  juft  and  faiutary  regu- 
lations concerning  religion,  in  this  ftate.  He  has 
been  fim_ilar)y  employed  fince  his  removal  to  New*- 


GOSUBN'ASSOCIATIDN  L59 

England.  He  has  always  been  a  zealous  advocate 
for  republican  government.  When  Mr.  Jefferfoa 
was  raised  to  the  Presidential  chair,  the  ladies  of  Mr. 
Leland's  congregation,  made  a  cheese  of  immense 
fize,*  and  fent  it  by  Mr.  Leland,  as  a  present  to  Mr. 
fefferfon.  This  affair  made  no  little  noise  in  the 
United  States. 

COUNTY  LINE. 

This  church  was  a  part  of  those  who  broke  off"  from 
the  aflbciation  with  elder  John  Waller,  and  were 
conflituted  into  a  feparate  church,  during  his  feclu- 
lion,  having  been  previoufly  an  arm  of  the  church 
called  Waller's.  After  elder  Waller  made  peace  with 
the  allbciation,  this  church  was  received  as  a  member. 
At  her  conftitution,  Mr.  Wm.  Waller  was  inftalled 
as  her  paffor,  but  he  moving  to  Kentucky  in  '84, 
they  procured  the  ftated  attendance  of  elder  John 
Waller.  Under  his  miniffry  in  '87>  the  windows  of 
grace  were  opened,  and  God  reigned  down  righteouf- 
nefs  among  them.  The  church  multiplied.  When 
Mr.  John  Waller  moved  away,  they  procured  the  Ha- 
ted attendance  of  Mr.  Absalom  Waller.  He  full 
preaches  for  them,  once  a  month.  This  is  a  church 
of  confiderable  respedtability. 

BETHEL. 

This  church  is  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Bow- 
ling Green,  Caroline  county.  There  are  not  many, 
if  any  churches  in  the  Baptift  connexion,  more  wor- 
thy of  commendation  than  this.  Though  not  large, 
they  are,  by  all  who  know  them,  much  respected  for 
their  work  of  faith,  and  labour  of  love,  and  patience 
of  hope,  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Chriff.  If  Paul  faid,  that 
the  Thefalonians  were  enfamples  to  all  that  believe  in 
Macedonia  and  Achaia,  fo  may  we  fay,  that  moll  of 

*  It  was  said  to  have  had  in  it  1400  lb.  of  curd,  and  to  have  weighed  900 
werght  when  taken  from  the  press.  The  enemies  of  Jefferson  called  it  the 
Mammouth  Cheese  :  they  also  wrote  poems  and  vented  much  wit  upon  the  oc- 
cafion.  It  was,  however,  received  by  the  President  with  pleasure,  and  view- 
ed by  the  impartial  as  a  eingular  pledge  of  patriotism. 


lOO  UIStORY   OP    THE 

the  members  of  this  church,  are  enTamples  to  their 
(iotemporaries.  Their  meetings  are  folemn,  without 
aullerity,  and  lively,  without  any  mixture  of  enthu- 
fiafm.  Their  hofpitality  cordial  without  parade,  and 
their  manners  fimple  and  eafy,  without  affedtation. 
^1  hey  love  without  dissimulation,  and  therefore,  often 
meet,  not  only  publicly,  but  from  houfe  to  houfe, 
for  fecial  prayer  and  converfation.  Though  they 
have  no  resident  ordained  preacher,  yet  several  of 
their  members  have  occafionally  exhorted,  and 
preached  in  their  afiemblies.  Elder  A.  Broaddus, 
paftor  of  Burruff's,  attends  here  monthly.  He  is 
viewed  as  their  father,  and  from  him,  as  children  from 
a  father,  they  receive  that  counsel,  by  which  they  are 
nurtured  up  into  everlafting  life.  Two  of  their  moll 
valuable  members,  have  already  finiflied  their  fhort, 
but  happy  courfe. 

Mr.  Charles  Woolfork  was  a  deacon  at  their  first 
conftitution.  He  discharged  the  duties  of  that  office, 
with  great  fidelity  and  promptitude.  Having  been  ac» 
cuftomed  to  genteel  fociety,  and  having  an  indepen- 
dent fortune,  he  had  it  in  his  power  to  do  many  good 
ads,  and  to  do  them  likewise  with  a  good  grace.  He 
was  a  man  of  God.  Livmg  in  this  ipotlels  manner, 
in  a  few  years  he  fell  afleep,  deeply  regretted  by  all 
his  acquaintance  ;  but  by  his  family  and  the  church, 
in  a  more  singular  degree. 

Mr.  Thomas  Jones,  a  relation  of  the  above,  was 
alfo  a  deacon  of  this  church,  and  may  be  faid  to  rank 
in  the  firfl:  grade.  From  the  day  he  profefied  godli- 
ness, until  his  death,  he  appears  to  have  devoted  his 
whole  soul  to  his  mafter's  fervice.  It  is  not  likely, 
that  any  private  character  ever  did  more  good  in  so 
fhort  a  time.  Though  in  affluent  circumftances,  he 
knew  how  to  use  this  world  as  not  abusing  it.  After 
a  lingering  illnefs,  he  alfo  fell  afleep  anno.  i8oo. — 
He  was  an  Israelite  indeed,  in  whom  there  was  no 
guile.  Here  we  muft  paufe  and  confider,  why  fuch 
men  as  these,  fhould  run  foihort  a  courle.     To  which 


••GCSHEN   ASSOCUTlON,  161 

we  can  only  fay,  that  all  who  underftand  much  of  the 
ways  of  Providence,  have  plainly  difcovered,  that  a 
high  degree  of  profperity,  is  seldom  of  long  duration. 
Things  were  too  well  in  Bethel  church,  to  abide  long, 
ill  such  a  world  as  this 6 

BURRUS'S. 

This  church  is  in  the  South  Weft  part  of  Caroline, 
having  fome  members  alfo  in  Hanover.  It  could  bo 
wifhed,  that  as  favourable  things  could  be  faidof  this,, 
as  of  the  foregoing  church  But  candour  compels 
us  to  ftate,  that  although  they  have  fome  worthy  and 
valuable  members,  there  have  been  a  more  than  com- 
mon proportion  of  apoftacies  and  fallings  off.  So 
much  had  the  church  declined  at  one  time,  that  the 
paftor  had  ferious  thoughts  of  propofing  to  them,  to 
dilTolve  their  conftitution,  or  rather,  to  blend  theirs 
with  the  Bethel.  But  God,  who  loves  to  furprile  us, 
with  unexpeded  mercies,  proclaimed  a  jubilee.  This 
work  of  grace  began  Summer  1808,  and  in  a  few 
months,  fome  very  valuable  members  were  annexed. 
This  church  was  firft  called  Pole-cat,  and  the  meet- 
ing houfe  Burrus's,  after  Rev.  John  Burrus,  who  was 
once  a  preacher  among  them,  but  never  was  ordained. 

Of  elder  Andrew  Broaddus,  paftor  of  this  church, 
rriueh  may  be  truly  said.  The  next  aftbciation  that 
was  holden  after  he  took  the  minifterial  care  of  the 
churchy  entered  upon  their  record  the  following  eu- 
logy. **  In  the  midft  of  afflid:ion,  we  have  to  men- 
*'  tion  with  thankfulnefs,  to  the  great  head  of  Zion ; 
**  that  elder  A.  Broaddus,  who  has  been  a  fhining 
**  light  in  the  churches  thefe  feveral  years  paft,  has, 
**  at  the  call  of  Burrus's,  confented  to  take  the  pafto- 
*'  ral  care  of  that  church,  and  is  confequently  a  mem- 
"  berof  our  affociation." 

WILLIAMS'S. 

This  church,  chiefly  in  the  upper  end  of  Goochland, 
is  a  church  of  long  and  high-ftanding,  in  religious  fo- 

V 


162  HISTORY    OF    THE 

cicty.  For  fe vera  1  years,  they  were  under  the  ftated' 
niinifterial  care  of  elder  John  Waller.  When  he  re- 
iigned,  fome  little  time  previous  to  his  removal,  the} 
called  Mr.  Goodloe,  who  accepted  the  call,  and  ac- 
ccyrdingly  preached  for  them  Itatedly,  until  the  year 
'Q6,  after  which,  Mr.  John  Poindexter,  at  their  re- 
queft,  attended  them  occafionally.  Under  Mr.  Poin- 
dexter's  miniilry,  they  enjoyed  a  pleafant  revival :  A 
I'evival  conduifted  with  harmony,  folemnity  and  order, 
in  v/hich,  about  ninety  or  one  hundred  were  baptized : 
of  these,  says  their  manufcript  furniflied  us,  only  14. 
have  been  excommunicated,  in  about  ten  or  eleven 
yfcars,  and  yet  their  discipline  has  been  regular.  A 
few  years  ago,  Mr.  Eliiba  Purrington,  who  had  pre-*- 
vioully  been  ordained,  was  chofen  as  piflor.  Under 
him,  as  pailor,  there  has  been  peace  and  happinefs  in 
the  church.  The  church  is  much  attached  to  Mr. 
Purrington,  as  a  man  of  unafFeded  piety,  and  mild 
and  pleafant  manners.  Asa  preacher  he  is  found  in 
dodirine,  very  lively  and  aifedionate  in  his  addrefs, 
and  has  talents  of  that  fort,  which  is  calculated  to 
do  good.  He  is  a  native  of  New- 1  ngland,  and  came 
to  Virginia  in  the  charader  of  a  teacher  of  Psalmody 
orchurch-mulic,  in  which  he  is  excelled  by  none  and 
equalled  by  few,  in  the  state.  Since  he  has  been  paf~ 
tor,  there  have  been  frequent  additions  to  the  church, 
but  no  revival.  • 

In  this  church,  lives  Thomas  Waford,  an  old  and 
faithful  difciple  of  Christ,  who  was  among  the  firft 
to  profefs  religion,  at  the  rise  of  the  Baptists.  He  is 
not  a  preacher,  but  has  done  more  good,  than  a  fcore 
of  preachers  of  a  certain  description.  When  Waller 
and  others  ufed  to  travel  off,  into  strange  places,  Mr. 
Waford  ufed  to  go  on  fometime  before-hand,  and 
publifli  their  meetings,  and  procure  places  for  them 
to  preach  at ;  then  he  would  return,  and  accompany 
them  :  he  would  enforce,  by  private  arguments  and 
admonitions,  what  the  preachers  advanced  from  the 
pulpit,     lie  alfo  fliared  rn  their  perfecutioois.     Once 


CrOSHEN  ASSOCIATION.  1.03 

he  was  taken  up  with  them  in  Effex  county,  and  car- 
ried before  a  magistrate  and  examined,  and  his  saddle- 
bags fearched,  and  then  discharged,  not  having  dis- 
turbed the  peace,  by  preaching,  &c.  ^'^t  another  meet- 
ing, when  perfecution  ran  high,  he  went  to  the  fpring 
to  drink,  and  there,  meeting  with  one  of  the  fons  of 
Belial,  was  severely  whipped  j  the  fears  of  which,  he 
will  doubtlefs  carry  to  his  grave.  Mr.  Waford  is  now 
(1809,)  more  than  four-fcore  years  of  age,  and  has 
profefled  religion  more  than  forty  years,  during  which 
time,  he  has  maintained  a  fpotlefs  reputation,  not  on- 
ly for  order  and  piety,  but  for  steady  and  unabating 
zeal.     Old  as  he  is,  he  milTes  very  few  aflbciations, 

LICKING  HOLE. 

This  church,  in  the  upper  end  of  Goochland,  is 
probably  the  largeft  church  in  the  Gofhen  aiTociation. 
It  was  planted  under  the  miniftry  of  elder  Ford  and 
others. — (Seepage  12.)  Forfeveral  years  after  the 
conftitution,  elder  Ford  was  their  occafional  paftor, 
but  at  length,  they  made  choice  of  Rev.  Hugh  French 
for  their  paftor.  Under  his  care,  they  enjoyed  peace 
and  harmony.  Until  '98,  they  were  conneded  with 
the  Dover  afTociation  ',  but  being  more  convenient 
to  the  Goflien,  they  petitioned  and  obtained  a  difmil- 
iion  to  join  the  Golhen,  where  they  have  been  ever 
ilnce.  In  1 804,  they  enjoyed  one  of  the  moft  heavenly 
revivals,  that  ever  was  feen,  4  or5  00  v/ere  baptized,  and 
among  them  fome  very  respedable  charac^ters  indeed. 
Elder  Leonard  Page,  v/ho  was  very  adlive  and  ufefui 
in  the  revival,  has  been  since  choien  pallor.  There 
,are  few,  if  any  members  in  the  ilate,  that  poffefs  a 
greater  number  of  intelligent  men,  than  Licking 
Hole.  Besides  their  paftor,  Do(51:or  John  Morgan, 
a  practitioner  of  phyfic,  and  a  preacher  of  the  gof- 
pel,  resides  among  them. 

•  Here  alfo  died,  that  an)iable  and  beloved  fervant  of 
Chrift,  Peregrine  G.  Smith.  Mr.  Smith  was  a  na- 
tive of  Maflachafetts,  and  at  an  early  period  in  life. 


IQ4>  HISTORY    OF    THE 

profelTed  vital  religion.  Having  received  a  classical 
education,  he  began  to  preach  the  gofpcl.  After  con« 
tinuing  a  fhort  time  in  New-England,  he  was  advis- 
ed to  travel  into  the  Southern  states  for  his  health, 
which  was  now  very  low.  He  came  to  Virginia  and 
•after  travelling  thro'  various  parts  of  the  state,  and  find- 
ing it,  as  he  thought,  more  congenial  with  his  consti- 
tution, he  resolved  to  settle  here.  His  residence 
and  ministrations  were  much  wished  in  many  places. 
He  however  gave  the  preference  to  Licking  Hole,  and 
accordingly  came  here  to  live.  Mr.  Smith,  it  appears, 
had  for  several  years  been  afflicted  with  the  consump- 
tion, a  complaint  so  flattering  in  its  nature,  that  few 
who  have  it,  ever  think  they  have.  He  entertained 
fome  exped:ation  of  recovery,  until  a  few  days  be^ 
fore  his  death,  which  took  place  in  I^o7. 

Mr.  Smirh  v^^as  a  preacher  of  fine  talents  indeed. 
His  delivery  was  easy  ;  his  style  very  elegant,  his  ac- 
tion becoming  and  his  manner  warm  and  animating. 
jHis  knowledge  of  books  was  coniiderable,  and  having 
travelled  very  extensively  for  one  of  his  age,  he  had. 
also  acquired  considerable  experience  of  men,  &c. 
By  these  things,  added  to  his  mild  disposition,  his  pi- 
ous spirit  and  accomplished  manners  ;  his  company 
and  conversation,  was  very  attrading,  to  all,  who  had 
even  a  flight  acquaintance  with  him.  Licking  Hole 
church,  did  themfelves  much  credit,  by  their  benevo- 
lent conduct  towards  this  amiable  and  aftefted  widow 
and  child.  So  friendly  were  they  towards  her,  that 
when  fhe  passed  through  Richmond,  on  her  way  to 
New- England,  fhe  laid  to  a  friend,  that  "  she  had 
not  believed  there  were  such  people  in  the  world,  as 
fhe  had  found  in  this  neighbourhood.'* 

Elder  French,  though  not  a  man  of  distinguished 
talents,  was  -efleemed  a  warm  and  experimental  prea- 
cher. As  a  chriflian,  he  was  pious  and  exemplary. 
And  as  a  man,  he  was  in  high  eftimation  in  all  the 
relations  of  fociallife.  He  only  lived  a  few  years 
•after  he  joined  the  Goshen  aflbciation,  and  at  one  of 


GOSHEN    ASSOCIATION.  165 

the  fcffions  he  was  made  moderator.  At  the  next  af- 
fociatipn,  his  death  is  entered  upon  their  records,  with 
some  commendatory  remarks  upon  his  charadter. 

THOMPSON'S,  OR  GOLDMINE. 

The  preaching  of  the  Rev.  David Thoinas,  in  Orange, 
made  ferious  imprefTions  upon  fome  in  this  neighbour- 
hood, who  went  there  to  hear  him.  This  induced  them 
to  look  out  for  preachers  to  come  into  their  own  vi- 
cinity, and  accordingly  they  procured  the  ferviees  of 
Mr.  Nathaniel  Saunders,  and  others.  Finally,  when 
MelTrs.  Harrifs  and  Read  came  on  in  their  circuit, 
this  neighbourhood  participated  in  the  blcfiingi-— 
Some  were  baptized.  This  induced  Lewis  Craig  and 
other  young  preachers,  to  viiit  them  ;  lo  that  in  '70, 
they  were  conftituted  as  a  church.  They  were  much 
Itraightened  to  choofe  a  paftor,  being  divided  among 
three.  At  length  they  agreed  to  receive  David  Thomp- 
fon.  The  church  had  now  become  large.  Lender  Mr. 
Thompfon's  care  the  church  declined,  and  fell  into 
Tome  unhappy  contentions.  He  finally  moved  pfF, 
and  the  church  obtained  the  flated  attendance  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Leland.  Mr.  Leland's  miniflry  was  greatly  blef- 
fed.  The  church  increafed  to  a  great  extent  Few 
preachers  were  ever  more  popular  in  any  place  of  their 
ftated  miniflry,  than  Mr.  Leland  was  in  thefe  parts. 
But  much  to  the  regret  of  both  thoie  without  and  with- 
in the  church,  Mr.  Leland  in  '9  ,  removed  to  New- 
England,  his  native  country.  This  church  then  made 
choice  of  George  Morris,  one  of  their  own  members, 
who  had  been  lor  fome  time  preaching  among  them. 
The  event  of  this  choice  may  be  (een.  in  the  account 
given  of  the  Gofl;ken  association.  Morris  in  the  divi- 
iion  of  the  church,  gaining  a  majority,  held  on  upon 
their  meeting  houfe.  The  minority,  who  was  by  the 
association,  pronounced  the  church,  built  them  a 
ftage,  and  finally  a  m^eeting  houfe,  a  few  miles  ofi-', 
where,  under  the  ministry  of  visiting  preachers,  in 
1 804  and  1805,  they  were  revived,,  and  have  fiourifh- 


5  GO  IIISTOIIY    OF    THE 

ed  greatly.  Many  of  Morris's  friends  have  kft  him, 
and  joined  this  chufch,  who  called  therPiSelves  Gold- 
mine church.  In  1S07,  they  chole  elder  William 
Waller  as  paftor,  who  continues  to  attend  them  once 
a  month. 

ROUNDABOUT. 

This  church,  fomev/hat  above  the  court-houfc,  and 
on  the  Icuth  fide  of  Louisa,  is  a  church  of  the  firfl 
grace  as  to  intelligent  members  and  regularity  in  dif- 
'cipline.  The  gofpel  was  firft  brought  into  this  neigh- 
bourhood by  feveral  of  the  old  preachers,  particularly 
Mr.  John  Waller.  In  '9 1 ,  Mr.  Poindexter,  who  had 
been  baptized  a  fmall  time  before,  began  to  preacli. 
In  '92,  he  was  chofen  as  pailor.  As  if  God  would 
clearly  fandtion  the  appointm.ent,  he  granted  a  pow- 
erful revival  of  rehgion,  foon  after  he  was  called  to 
the  pafloral  care.  More  than  one  hundred  were  bap- 
tized in  the  courfe  of  a  few  months.  This  work  went 
on,  until  they  increafed  to  m.ore  than  three  hundred. 
The  revival  began  about  Roundabout,  but  fpread  up- 
wards. So  that  in  '95,  a  church  was  conftitutcd 
about  Fofler's  creek,  called  Siloam. — This  church 
was  raifed  chiefly  under  the  miniftry  of  Mr.  Poin- 
dexter, and  was  an  arm  of  Roundabout,  until  confti- 
tuted.  lie  was  chofen  their  ftated  preacher,  or  oc- 
calional  paflcr.  It  was,  when  conftituted,  a  confide- 
rable  church,  having  nineteen  or  twenty  white  males, 
and  about  thirty  females,  befides  a  great  number  of 
blacks.  They  continued  to  profper,  until  George 
Morris  ilirred  up  his  fchism  in  fome  of  the  neigh- 
bouring churches.  Having  a  brother,  a  member  here, 
he  was  too  fuccefsful  in  forming  a  psrty  in  Siloam  al- 
fo.  This  brought  on  great  diflrefs,  until  they  came 
to  a  determination  in  1 802,  to  diflolve  their  conflitu- 
ticn,  and  rejoin  the  Roundabout.  This  meafure  al- 
fo  fecm.ed  to  meet  the  divme  approbation.  For  im- 
mediately after  their  difiolution,  a  fmall,  but  comfort- 
able revival  took  place,  and  about  twenty  v»xre  added 


GOSHEN    ASSOCIATION.-  167 

to  the  church.  Elder  Poiadexter  had  ahb  extended 
his  labours  as  far  as  Albemarle,  and  formed  a  church 
Called  Bethelj  confi^ting  of  upwards  of  one  hundred 
members.  It  being  toy  far  for  \ir.  Poindexter  to 
attend  them,  they  chofe  Vfr.  Robert  fonts,  a  young 
preacher,  who  fometime  afterwards  moved  away,  and 
Hephzibah  church  being  conilituted  a  little  diflance 
above.  Bethel  was  dilTolved,  fome  of  the  members 
joining  the  new  conflitution,  and  fome  falling  back 
into  Roundabout.  Thus  these  three  churches  were 
again  united  into  one.  No  revival  has  appeared  in 
the  Roundabout  of  late  years,  'i'hey  are,  however, 
in  peace  and  harmony  among  themfelves.  Mr.  Poin- 
dexter,  their  paftor.  is  clerk  of  the  court  of  Louifa; 
and  a  man  of  high  {landing  both  in  civil  and  religi- 
ous matters.  He  has  made,  and  is  Hill  making  great 
pecuniary  facrihces  for  religion. 

SCARROTTS. 

This  church,  though  not  large,  is  of  good  standing. 
Nothing  uncommon  has  occurred  among  them. — 
They  have  moved  on  fmoothly  for  many  years,  under 
the  stated  ministry  of  elder  Henry  Goodloe.  Karly 
after  their  constitution,  Mr.  VVm.  Dawfon  was  tbeir 
pastor,  but  he  did  not  continue  long  among  them.- 
Mr.  Goodloe  then  became,  and  has  continued  ever 
fmce,  to  be  their  preacher. 

LITTLE  RIVER. 

Although  this  church  has  not  lengthened  her  cords 
to  as  great  extent  as  fome  others,  fns  has  paded  thro' 
very  few  affli^fling  fcenes,  having  generall/  enjoyed  a 
conlidcrable  ihare  of  peace  under  her  worthy  amd  zeal- 
pus  pastor. 

NORTH  FORK  OF  PAMUNKEY. 

This  is  a  large  church,  but  has  been,  rnuch  larger, 
having  of  late  pafTed  through  not  only  cold,  but  very 
afflicting  times.      Some  of  tlie  old  baDtifl  preachsr^ 


163  HISTORY    OF    THC 

laboured  In  thefe  parts  at  an  early  period  of  the  tilt 
of  the  Baptists.  Mr  Aaron  iHedfoe  was  among 
their  first  profelytes,  having  been  previously  a  dissi- 
pated charadter  So  foon  as  he  believed  himfelf  to 
be  a  convert,  he  began  to  perfuade  others.  His  zeal 
was  unabating,  he  mified  no  opportunity  to  exhort, 
advife,  and  admonifh,  any,  and  every  man  he  met 
Willi.  He  was  really,  in  season  and  out  of  season. 
Having  a  singular  degree  of  boldness,  he  would  not  be 
abashed.  Great  mer\,  little  men,  rich  men,  or  poor 
men  were  all  equal  with  him,  as  it  respected  his  confi- 
dence. He  was  never  to  be  swerved  from  his  point, 
nor  put  to  the  blush.  By  his  unwearied  zeal  though 
far  from  being  a  man  of  knowledge  or  gifts,  he  made 
serious  impressions  upon  many.  A  church  was  con- 
stituted, and  he  chosen  their  pastor.  The  discipline 
of  the  church  was  by  no  means  regular.  No  decision 
could  be  had  without  an  unanimity.  This  often 
clogged  them,  often  discouraged  them.  But  the 
zeal  and  forwaidness  of  the  pastor  surmounted  many  of 
these  obstructions.  The  church  increased.  In '88, 
they  experienced  an  extensive  revival  ;  several  hun- 
dreds were  baptized  So  that  in  '92,  when  they  be- 
came a  part  of  Goshen  association,  they  had  about 
350  members. 

Anno.  1 806,  Mr.  Bledsoe  was  accused  of  fraudu- 
lent dealings  which  he  denied,  tho'  too  plainly  proven. 
The  church  excluded  him,  although  there  was  a  large 
minority  in  his  favour,  who  thought  him  innocent. 
No  man  probably  ever  felt  more  chagrine  at  being  ex- 
cluded than  Mr.  Bledsoe.  He  soon  moved  away,  out 
of  the  state,  and  is  fmce  dead.  Many  good  men 
doubted  whether  Mr.  Bledfoe  ever  defined  anv 
thing  improper. 


ALBEMARLE    ASSOCIATION. 
TABLE  OF  ALBEMARLE  ASSOCIATION. 


Ibi 


< 

o~^ 

»  ™ 
S  t) 

3    - 

Names  of 
Churches. 

a  o 

=    ft 

S'p 

a  "■ 

7 

2  <" 

■      3 


By  wliom 
planted' 


Former 
pastors. 


Present 
pastors. 


Counties. 


Albemarle, 

1767 

'Totter, 

1775 

35 

Prithis  creek, 

Hephzihah, 

JVhiteJldes, 

Buffaloe, 

Ehenezer, 

Lile^tf 

1802 
1788 

t773 
1798 

^4 
zo 

Fork, 

1774 

60 

•jt.lfm.  IVoods. 
120!  O.  Tin  (lev. 

\p.  Patterson. 

v^o\Geo.  Ewves. 

49:/l4''«    '^atvfon 

B    Burgher, 


120 

80 

•44 

150 


M.  Da-'jofon. 
O.  Fln~aj;rs. 
E  C^ai:,^- 
D.  'Thainfon. 


yiVn  iVoode. 
I M.  Daw/on. 
\Geo.  Eaves. 
\H  Gofs 
\M.Dazv/o^, 
\B.  Burgher. 
B.  Coleman, 
0.  Floxijers, 
P.  Webber. 


■Jr.  >ratts. 
M.  Da^jjfon. 

M.  Daivfonf 
M.  Da-ivfon, 
B.  Burgher. ^ 
J.  Young. 
'V.  Dun  an. 
'Vm.  Bafket. 


A'nemarle 
Abema-li 

AlbetnarL- 

Do. 

Do. 

Amherfi 

4mherli 

Flwuanna. 


G-  Atidcrfon.  Flwvann'j. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

History  of  tJie  Albemarle  Afsociation,  including  the 

Sketches  of  Churches, 

By  reference  to  chapter  XIII  it  will  be  found  that 
the  Orange  Afsociation  was  in  179 1  divided  into 
three  districts,  of  which,  one  was  called  Albemarle* 
This,  was  then,  and  is  now,  much  the  fmalleft  of  the 
three,  having  never  had  more  than  nine  churches. — 
They  held  their  first  fcfsion  in  1792  and  have  conti- 
nued to  meet  from  year  to  vear  ever  lince.  We  have 
not  been  able  to  procure  a  full  file  of  their  minutes, 
but  from  such  as  we  h-ive  {^.txi^  it  appears,  that  their 
bufinefs  is  conducted  in  aflbciations,  with  the  utmoft 
harmony  and  love,  tlder  Martin  i)awfon  has  gene- 
rally difcharged  the  duty  of  moderator,  and  Elder 
Benjamin  Burgher  of  clerk.  The  district  included 
the  churches  in  /^mherd,  Albemarle  and  Fluvanna 
only.*     Having  given  pretty  full  accounts  of  the  pro- 

•  Nelfon  his  been  ftrlcken  ofF  from  Aniherft  fince  p'^r  documents  came  :p 


w 


170  HISTORY  OF   TUB 

ccedings  of  feveral  aflbciations  where  the  minutes 
were  in  ourpolTeffion,  it  is  the  lefs  neceffary  to  enter 
into  a  detail  of  others  :  Seeing  the  proceedings  of 
one  afTociation  are  confiderably  fimilar  to  thofc  of  all 
the  reft  in  the  fame  connexion.  We  ftiall  therefore 
proceed  to  give  hiftorical  sketches  of  the  churches  iij 
this  afTociation,  beginning  with 

ALBEMARLE. 

This  is  the  oldeft  church  in  this  afTociatlfcn.  It  was 
once  under  the  paftoral  care  of  William  Woods,  wlift 
is  ftill  a  member.  Mr.  Woods  refigned  the  care  of 
the  church,  together  with  his  credentials,  in  order  to 
take  oft'  the  difqualification  from  reprefenting  the 
county  as  a  Delegate  in  the  General  AlTembly.  If 
he  were  called  of  God  to  this  work,  it  is  hard  to  fay 
how  Mr.  Woods  will,  in  the  laft  day,  render  an  ac- 
count of  his  ftewardihip.  He  is  efteemed  a  ufeful 
and  refpe(flable  man.  Mr.  Watts  now  labours  for 
them  as  paftor  and  i?  profitable  in  the  miniftry. 

TOTIER. 

This  church  was  planted  by  the  labours  of  Rev'd. 
David  Tinsley  and  watered  by  thofe  of  Rev'd  B.  Bur- 
gher, Wm.  Woods  and  David  tatterfon;  Tinsley 
preached  in  the  bounds  about  1770,  but  was  not  ve- 
ry fuccefsful.  About '73,  Mr.  Patterfon,  who  was 
a  refident  of  Buckingham,  preached  with  much  pow- 
er, and  baptized  many  in  the  neighborhood  of  Totier, 
who  were  conlidered  as  members  of  the  church  in 
Buckingham,  of  which,  Mr.  Patterfon  was  paftor. 
In  1774,  Rev'd,  Martin  Dawfon  was  baptized  and 
foon  began  to  preach.  When  the  church  was  eon- 
ftitutcd  he  took  the  paftoral  care  and  has  continued 
ever  iince.  Under  his  miniftry  the  church  has  en- 
joyed great  profperity  and  peace,  and  has  been  favor- 
ed with  feveral  precious  revivals.  Many  of  the  mem- 
bers have,  at  different  times  emigrated  to  the  weftern 


ALBEMARLE    ASSOCIATION.  171 

country,  (o  that  the  church  has  been  more  numerous 
than  it  is  at  prefent.  Mr.  Dawfon,  their  paftor,  is 
now  (1S09)  about  65  years  of  age.  He  has  always 
maintained  a  respec  table  {landing  both  in  civil  and 
religious  fociety.  lie  has  been  Moderator  to  the  af- 
fociation  for  luany  years,  a  place  which  he  fills  with 
confiderabie  propriety. 

jPRETHIS  CREEK 

Church,  was,  for  many  years,  under  the  care  of 
Rev'd  George  Eave,  who  left  them  and  went  to 
Kentucky.  During  his  continuance  among  them, 
there  was  no  extraordinary  revival,  but,  in  iSo-^, 
coming  from  the  western  country,  on  a  vifit,  the  pow- 
er of  God  revived  in  this  church,  under  his  tempo^ 
rary  labours,  and  while  he  staid,  there  were  added  to 
the  church  upwards  of  loo.  Elders  Jones  and  Gofs 
preached  for  them  ftatedly  for  fome  time. 

HEPHZIBAH. 

This  church,  for  2  or  3  years  after  her  constituti- 
Qnfeemedto  decline,  but  in  1B05  a  fmall  revival  was 
granted,  when  about  25  were  added.  Since  that 
time  they  have  been  in  peace  and  harmony  under  the 
ftated  miniftry  of  Elder  Dawfon.  Mr.  Thomas 
Henderfon,  the  clerk  of  the  church,  alfo  exhorts  and 
preaches  at  times. 

WHITESIDES, 

has  been  a  profperous  church.  Her  paflor,  Mr.  B, 
Burgher,  was  in  the  ministry  among  the  firil  that  are 
noy^  living,  and  is  esteemed  a  found  and  able  preach- 
er, efpecially  when  he  feels  what  is  called  the  liber- 
ty of  preaching.  He  ufed  to  be  more  laborious  in 
the  ministry,  than  at  prefent,  having  been  for  many 
years,  very  corpulent,  travelling  and  preaching  is  no 


fiJSTORY   OP   THE  172 

fo  pradjicable.  Mr  }5urgher  has  fome  poetical  ge- 
nius, having  con^pofed  leveral  longs  and  ether  fmall 
pieces  of  poetry,  t;e  has  been  clerk  of  the  aliociati- 
bn  for  many  years  and  has  com  poled  moft  of  their  cir- 
cular letters.  Ihe  church  has  been  generally  happy 
under  his  ministrations,  and  has  been  favored  with 
feveral  comfortable  revivals. 

BUFFALOE 

Church,  is  now  profperous  and  happy,  but  for  fome 
time,  after  her  conftitution,  there  was  confiderable 
confulion,  through  the  mifcondu(5t  of  Benjamin  Cole- 
man their  firftpaftor.  In. 17&9j elder  John  Young, 
who  had  moved  from  Caroline,  fettled  ip.  the  bounds 
of  this  church,  and  became  their  pastor  j  the  enluing 
year,  viz  :  ibOO.  In  1803  God  fmiled,  and  as  ma- 
ny as.  Kg  or  90  iinners  were  enticed  to  Jefus.  Mr. 
William  Duncan,  a  preacher  of  ufeful  gifts,  is  a  mem- 
ber of  this  church  and  has  been  ordained  to  the  mi- 


nistry. 


EBENEZER 


Church,  was  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Elder  Or« 
fun  Flowers  until  i  H05,  when  he  was  drawn  into  the 
vortex  of  the  baptist  preachers,  .Kentucky.*  Since 
his  rem.oval,  they  have  been  attended  by  tlder  Dun- 
can.    They  had  a  revival  in  1804. 

LILE'S 

Church,  was  planted  by  the  united  labours  of  Eli- 
jah Craig  and  David  Ihomfon.  Thefe  preachers 
were  induced  to  vilit  this  place,  in  confequence  of  3 
or  4  perfons  in  the  neighborhood  going  in  the  year 
1 7t)9j  lome  diflance  oft,  to  hear  preaching,  and  being 
thereby  awakened,  they  invited  the  preachers  to  come 

*  It  is  queftionaMe  with  fome,  whether  half  the  Baptift  preae  Jiers  vvho  have 
teen  jailtd  in  Virginia  have  r.ot  emigrated  to  tks  western  country. 


ALBEMARLE    ASSOCIATION.  J7S 

And  vilit  them.  They  did  fo.  Their  labour  was  not 
in  vain.  A  few  were  admitted  to  divine  favor  and 
w^ere  baptized.  Among  thefe  wras  their  prefent  paf- 
tor,  Mr.  Basket.  Asfoon  as  God  wrought  in  them, 
they  began  to  work  for  God,  and  held  private  meet- 
ings ;  the  work  progrefTed  and  a  church  was  constitu- 
ted. Their  firft  paftor  was  Philip  Webber,  who, 
moving  to  Kentucky,  the  careof  the  church  devolv- 
ed upon  Elder  Basket.  In  '88  the  mafter  of  affem- 
blies  paid  them  a  vilit  and  introduced  confiderable 
members  into  his  divine  favour.  Jt  is  a  peaceable 
and  profperous  church. 

FORK, 

In  Fluvanna,  was  conftituted  off  from  Lile's.  They 
were  at  firft  tolerably  profperous,  but  through  the 
mifcondudt  of  their  minifter,  they  fell  into  great  con- 
fusion, fo  far  as  to  require  the  interpofition  of  the  af- 
fociation,  in  order  to  regulate  them.  But  perhaps, 
ere  this,  jefus  h,as  fpoken  the  storm  into  i  calm. 


174  HISTORY    OF    THE 

TilBLE  OF  CULPEPPER  ASSOCIATION. 


Names  of 
Churches. 


>< 

o-y 

■s 

r»     fl 

9.  = 

n-S 

V  ^ 

€-►       "^ 

-:   'T 

&.   <= 

*     " 

S   n 

•^ 

5  0 

•     C 

o^ 

S 

P 

»-i 

By  ■whom 
planted. 


Former 
pasiors. 


Present 
pastors. 


Counlicfl 


Hcthtl, 
Thomp- 
fon's  gap, 

Crooked 
T'un, 

Mountpo- 
ney, 

F.  T. 

Gourdvine, 
Fiery  run, 
Battle  run, 

Kappadan, 

Robin  fqn 
river, 

Bluerun, 

Carter's 
run, 

Goofe  creek 
Mill  creek. 

Smith's 
creek, 

Lostriver, 

Lume's 
creek, 
Lynvil's 
creek, 


1803 
1787 

X771 

»774 
1778 
179J 
1771 
'773 

»771 


1790 
1769 


1768 
»7J9 


1774 
X784 

J777 
1756 


72  I 

30 

47 
20 

»7 

37 
76 


61    W.  Malon. 


95 

*47 
100 

47 
«7 

114 


41 
100 


68 

60 

73 
48 


J.  Koones. 

S.  Harris, 

J  ,  Read, 
E.  Craig. 

D.  Thomas, 
N,  Saunders, 
G.  Eve, 

W.  Mafon. 
f.  Picket, 
W.   Maibn. 
J.  Picket, 
J.  Johnfon 
J.  Picket. 

E.  Craig  Sc 
J.Waller, 
S.  Harris  & 
J.  Read. 

W.  Mafon. 
S.  Harris, 
J.  Read. 

.1.  Picket. 
J.  Picket, 
J.  Picket, 
J.  Koones. 
J.  Irelend, 
A.  MolFet, 
J.  Koones. 
A.  Motfet, 
J.  Redding, 
J.  Koones. 

J.  Redding, 
J.   Taylor. 
J.  Alderfon, 
&c. 


W.  MafM. 
J.  Koones. 
J.  Garnett. 

N.Saunders. 
G.  Eve, 
W,  MafoD. 

J.  Picket. 

.1 .  Picket. 

J.  Picket. 


G.  Eve, 
i.  Leather. 


W.  Mafon. 
E.   Craig, 
G.  Eve, 
H.  Gofs. 
J.   Picket. 
J.  Picket. 
J.  Koones. 

A.  MoiTet. 


A.  Moffet. 


J.  Redding 
Sc  J  Koones. 
J,  Alderfon; 

fen. 
J.  Alderfon; 

jun 
J,  Redding, 
I  J.  Johnfoft. 


W.  Walun, 
W.  Friftoe. 
J.  Garnett. 


W.  Mafon. 
L.  Conner. 


W.  Mafon. 
none, 
none. 

none. 


Cuipepcf 
do 
do 


do 
d6 


do 
do 
do 

Madifoa. 


W.  Mafon.        do 
R.  Jones.      i  Orange-. 


none. 
J.  Koones. 
J.  Koones. 

A.  Moffet. 


J.  Koones  Sic 


J.  Kpones 


Fauquier 
Fauquier 
6c  Culpe- 
per. 

Shenan- 
doah. 
Shenan- 
doah  and 
Rocking- 
ham. 
Hardy, 
do 


Rocking- 
ham. 


CHAPTER  XVh 

Hijtory  of  the  Culpeper   AJfociatioUy  including  thi 
Sketches  of  the  Churches. 

For  the  origin,  &c.  of  the  Culpeper  Aflbciation, 
fee  page  139 

Their  firll  feflion  was  holden  at  Smith's  Creek 
meeting  houfe,  commencing  on  the  4th  Friday  in 
0(ftober,  1792.  This  fcilion  was  occupied  in  orga* 
ftizing. 

They  met  a  fecond  time  at  Thornton's  gap,  on  Fri- 
day the  4th  of  Odlober,  1793  and  continued  toge- 
ther three  day§.  Letters  from  14  churches  were  re- 
ceived, stating  their  whole  number  to  be  1212.  Rev. 
George  Eve  was  chofen  moderator,  and  Rev.  Lewis 
Conner,  clerk.  Nothing  more  than  local  matters 
was  tranfacted  at  this  feffion.  The  limits  of  our 
work  will  not  admit  of  lengthy  details  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  each  affociation  in  the  state,  nor  indeed 
can  it  be  defirable,  feeing  the  proceedings  of  one  af- 
fvJiciation  are  fo  limilar  to  thofe  of  another,  that  by  paf- 
iing  over  the  records  of  four  or  five  of  the  largefh  and 
oldeil,  and  feleiting  fuch  general  matter  as  may  have 
called  their  attention,  we  obtain  every  thing,  or  near- 
ly every  thing,  worth  regarding  in  any.  A  few  gr^ne- 
ral  obfervations  therefore,  as  to  the  proceedings  of  the 
Culpeper afTociation,  will,  we  prefume,  befatisfadory; 
efpecially  as  a  pretty  full  attention  has  been  paid  to 
the  hiflory  of  the  churches  in  this  allociation. 

Elder  Lewis  Conner  avtcd  as  clerk  of  the  aflbcia- 
tion  from  their  firfl  organization  until  a  few  years 
paft.  At  prefent  Mr.  Richard  I  I'utt  diicharges  the 
duties  of  that  office,  Mr.  George  '-^.ve  generally  a6t- 
ed  as  rtioderator  during  his  continuance  in  the  (late  ; 
o:"iite  years  elders  Mafon  and  Conner,  fometimes 
tht  one  and  fometimes  the  other,  hiv^  filled  the  mo- 


176  HISTORY   OF    THE 

derator's  chair.  Their  courfe  has  been  even  and 
fmooth  ;  their  bufinefs  managed  prudently  and  peace- 
ably ;  their  number  of  churches  has  increafed,  but 
their  number  of  members  .rather  decreafed,  owing 
chiefly  to  the  great  number  of  removals  to  the  wef~ 
tern  country.  This  aflbciation  has  never  as  yet  join- 
ed the  general  meeting  of  correfpondence,  but  it  is 
hoped,  w^hen  the  principles  and  utility  of  that  meet- 
ing is  better  understood,  that  not  only  this,  but 
all  the  aflbciations  in  the  state,  will  become  members. 
Upon  this  ihort  view  of  the  lifTociation,  we  fhall  now 
proceed  to  fpeak  of  the  churches,  beginning  with 
fJethel. 

UPPER  GOOSE  CREEK  and  BETHEL 

Are  churches  of  happy  flanding,  but  nothing  has 
occurred  among  them  neceifary  to  be  noticed  here. 
Brother  Koones  attends  Upper  Goofe  Creek  with 
much  fuccefs, 

THORNTON'S  GAP  and  FIERY  RUN. 

Have  furnifhed  no  hiftorical  account, 

CROOKED  RUN. 

This  is  a  daughter  of  Bluerun  and  was,  for  about 
two  years,  under  the  care  of  E.  Craig,  was  paftor  of 
Bluerun.  God  having  raifed  up  minifters  among 
them,  viz.  Flders  J.  Garnett  and  Thomas  Ammon, 
the  latter  of  whom  was  once  imprifoned  in  Culpeper 
jail,  for  preaching  Mr.  Garnett  was  ordained  as 
paftor.  Under  the  minifterial  care  of  this  amiable 
man,  the  church  has  enjoyed  peace  and  harmony. 
In  1788  &  1789,  they  had  a  glorious  revival;  115 
were  added.  In  1802  they  were  again  blefled,  and 
about  30  were  baptized.  By  emigration,  &c.  their 
number  is  not  fo  great  as  it  has  been.  Mr.  John 
Garnett,  one  of  the  minifter's,  has  lately  afcended  the 
pulpit,  and  is  faid  to  be  a  young  man  of  pleafing  man- 
ners and  promiiing  talents. 


CULPEPER  ASSOCIATION.  177' 

MOUNTPOMEY. 

This  church  was  taken  oft  from  a  church  called 
Mountain-run,  in  Oraige  county,  conflituted  in  I7d8 
and  lince  dillblved.  The  Kev'd.  David  Thomas  was 
the  firll  i^aptiil:  preacher  that  ever  proclaimed  the 
gofpel  of  pe^fce  in  the  counties  of  Orange  and  Cul- 
peper,  which  took  place  in  the  year  1763.  His 
preaching  was  in  power  and  demonllr.ition  of  the  fpi- 
rit.  Mr.  N'.ithanielSaunders,  who  afterwards  became 
a  preacher,  was  among  the  firft  feils  to  his  miniflry» 
Many  others  were  alfo  baptized  about  the  fame  time.* 
In  1766,  about  2  or  3  years  after  he  was  biptizedp 
Mr.  Saunders  began  to  preach  and  in  17^8  was  or- 
dained to  the  care  of  Mountain- run  church,  whfch 
was  conflituted  at  the  fame  time.  Mr»  SaunJers  held 
the  care  of  this  church  until  it  was  diffolved  in  1782, 
and  moftof  the  members  joined  Mountponey."^-" 

Mountponey,  as  will  appear  from  the  table,  was 
conllituted  1774.  Mder  Saunders  ferved  them  as  a 
fupply,  from  a  fhort  time  atter  their  conilitution, 
until  fome  time  in  1777.  When  the  liev.  John 
Leland,  from  New  England,  came  preaching  among 
them,  and  became  a  member  of  Mount  Poney 
Church.  The  church  unanimoufly  called  him  to  the 
adminiftration  of  the  word  and  ordinances,  without 
ordination  by  the  impolition  of  hands,  This  being 
contrary  to  the  eftabliihed  rule  of  the  Ketodon  AlTo- 
ciation,  and  indeed  of  the  [iaptists  of  Virginia  gene- 
rally, when  the  church  lent  her  delegates  to  the 
next  affociation  they  were  reje-ited.  The  habits  of 
the  Baptifts  in  ivFew  Kngland  and  of  thofe  in  Virgi- 
nia, refpecting  apparel,  were  alfo  much  at  variance. 
Mr.  Leland  and  others,  adhered  to  the  customs  of 
New  England,  each  one  putting  on  fuch  apparel  as 
fuited  his  o.vn  faacy.  This  was  oifeniive  to  fome 
members  of  the   church.       fhe  contention   on  this 

*  Nathaniel  Siunders,  thougli  not  a  prsfacher  of  great  talents,  was  found  in 
the  faith.  He  lived  and  died  in  tht;  cftimation  of  aii  that  knew  him,  a  pious 
and  good  .nan.  After  furfei  lug  ,..  greaf  deal,  wiui  a  long  and  painiul  illuels, 
he  finiihed  liis  eaitbly  pilgrinuge  towards  the  lall  of  thi  xuni;nei  l8oS. 

X 


I7b  HISTORY    OF    THE 

account  became  fo  fliarp,  that  on  the  25th  of  July 
1779,  about  twelve  members  diilented  from  the  ma- 
jority of  the  church  and  were  of  courfe  excluded; 
The  dilfenting  members  formed  thejjifelves  into  a 
church,  and  fued  for  admittance  into  the  next  aflc- 
ciation,  and  were  received.  The  majority  dismis- 
sed Mr  Leland  in  order,  and  foon  after  this  he  fub- 
mittcd  to  ordination  by  the  impofition  of  the  hands 
of  a  presbytery.  After  Mr.  Leland's  departure,  Mr. 
Saunders  refumed  the  paftoral  care  of  the  church. 
^  reconciliation  was  effedled.  Mountain  Run  being 
diffolved,  Mountponey  had  three  preachers  in  her 
government,  viz.  Elder  Wm.  Mafon,  who  is  now 
their  paflor,  and  N.  Saunders  aryi  John  Price,  all  of 
whom,  laboured  together  in  great  harmony,  until 
Mr.  Price  moved  to  Kentuck}^.  In  1798,  the  fet 
time  to  favour  Zion  having  arrived,  her  gates  were 
crouded  with  converts.  To  Mountponey  church 
were  added  by  Baptifm,  about  200,  chiefly  through 
the  miniflerial  labour  of  Elder  Mafon.  It  was  about 
this  period  that  Mr*  Mafon  was  chofen  by  the 
church  as  their  pallor.  Gourdvine  and  Bethel  were 
conftituted  off  from  this  church.  Mountponey  was 
a  member  of  Ketocfcon  alfo  until  '803,  they  then  join- 
ed Culpeper.  Mr.  Mafon,  pafcor  of  this  church  has 
been  long  labouring  to  turn  iinners  to  righteoufnefs, 
and  under  God,  he  has  turned  many.  To  fay  much 
in  favor  of  a  living  man  has  too  much  the  appearance 
of  flattery.  We  muft  therefore  curtail;  but  our 
feelings  will  not  permit  us  to  be  entirely  lilent.  Suf- 
fice it  to  fay,  that  in  all  the  relations  of  life  he 
flands  acknowledged  through  the  whole  circle  of  his 
acquaintances,  as  one  of  ths  moft  exemplary  men 
living.  As  a  preacher,  although  he  has  no  claim  to 
learning  or  refined  eloquence,  he  poilelfes  gifts  that 
are  incomparably  more  valuable.  Cowper's  defcrip- 
tion  of  a  Chriftian  preacher  is  realized  in  Mr.  Ma- 
fon . 

.■■'■«■■    "  Ample,  grave,  fincere; 


CULPJ2PER    ASSOCIATION.  J70 

"  In  dodrine  iincorrupt ;  in  language  plain, 
*'  And  plain  in  manner.     Decent,  lolemn,   chafte 
*•*  And  natural  in  geOure.      Much  imprefled 
"  Himfelf,  as  conl'cious  of  his  awful  charge, 
"  And  anxious  mainly  that  the  Hock  he  feeds 
*•'  May  feel  it  too.     Afl'edionate  in  look, 
"  And  tender  in  addrefs,  as  well  becomes 
*'  A  meireng-:.r  of  Grace  to  guilty  men." 

F.  T. 

This  church  is  fo  called  from  ii:-;  being  contiguous 
to  a  place  of  that  name.  It  was  formerly  called  H  ag- 
ged  Mountain.  '1  hrough  the  pious  labours  ofhl- 
ders  Saunders,  Eye,  Picket,  &c,  the  gcfpel  was 
firfl  fuccefsfully  introduced  v/ithin  the  limits  of  this 
church.  A  malignant  oppofiticn  soon  appeared  to 
the  word.  They  threatened  the  preacher,  but  God 
bade  them  preach  on,  and  fo  they  did,  until  per- 
fecution  was  iilenced.  After  the  con fiitution  of  F. 
T.  Geo.  Eve  was  their  minifter,  whofe  labours  were 
much  blefled.  Nothing  notable  however  tranfpired 
until  '88,- when  W.  Mafon  in  confequence  of  the 
refignation  of  Mr.  Eve  became  their  miniller.  1788 
was  a  year  long  to  be  remembered  by  F.  T.  A 
blelled revival  appeared  in  all  her  borders.  The  work 
continued  during  that  and  the  fucceeding  year.  The 
heavens  feemed  to  rain  righteousnefs.  Many  of  the 
votaries  of  Mammon  and  of  Belial  renounced  their 
idols,  and  gave  their  hearts  to  their-Redcemer.  From 
this,  the  Uobinfon  River  church  was  taken  off.  Ben- 
jamin Fuel  was  raised  here,  and  afterwards  moved 
to  North  Carolina,  where  he  has  been  eminently 
ufeful,  and  is  clerk  of  Mayo  afTociai Ton. 

GOURD-VINE. 

This  is  another  of  the  chctrches  attended  by  Elder 
William  IMafon.  'ine  gofpel  wa^  firft  introduced 
into  the  neighbourhood,  tlirough  the  invitation  of 
fundry  perfons,  to  Mr.    Picket  and  ethers,    to  come 


180  HISTORY   OF    TJIE 

and  preach  in  their  houfes.  Among  others,  was  a 
Mr.  Sam.  Fergufon,  a  rich  man,  who  h  d  been  an 
oppofer,  but  God  conquered  him  by  his  grace  and 
in  return  he  made  his  houfe,  a  houfe  of  prayer  and 
preaching.  The  church  has  profpered  moderately 
With  the  enjoyment  of  peace  and  love. 

BATTLE  RUN 

Is  one  of  the  daughters  of  Carter's  Run,  and  for  ma- 
ny years  fed  upon  the  heavenly  nianna  dealt  out  by 
the  Rev.  John  Picket.  Their  courfe  has  not  been 
very  remarkable  Their  winters  have  not  been 
more  fevere,  nor  their  fummers  more  fruitful,  than 
thofe  m  her  filter  churches. 

rappadan. 

This  is  a  daughter  of  Bluerun  church.  The  gofpel 
was  first  carried  into  the  bounds  of  this  church  by 
MefTrs.  Harris  and  Read.  The  plant  which  they 
planted,  were  watered  by  Mr.  Waller  and  Mr.  E. 
Craig.  V\  hen  the  gofpel  was  iirft  preached  in  the 
bounds  of  this  church,  perfecution  ran  high.  War- 
rants were  iifued  to  apprehend  the  preachers.  E^ 
Craig  was  taken  out  of  the  pulpit,  and  committed  to 
Culpeper  jail.  Thomas  Maxfield  fome  time  after, 
was  impriloned  for  exhorting.  Mr.  Adam  Banks, 
about  the  fame  time,  was  committed  to  jail  for  pray- 
ing in  the  private  houfe  of  a  Mr  John  Delaney, 
and  iielaney  hunl'elf,  who  was  not  a  Baptift,  for  per- 
mitting it.  Perfecution  often  defeats  its  own  caufe. 
Men  cannot  be  reflrained  from  thinking;  and  they 
will  think  that  a  bad  caufe  which  requires  force  to  fup- 
port  it.  In  the  midll:  of  thefe  violent,  and  unreafon- 
abie  perfecutions,  tlie  caufe  of  God  fiouriihed  about 
Rappadan  abundantly.  In  this  church.  Rev.  George 
Eve,  one  of  the  moft  fuccefsful  preachers,  in  thofe 
parts,  was  raifed  up,  and  about  1773,  vras  ordain- 
ed to  the  care  of  the  church.  During  the  years  1 776\ 
'77,  78,  they  were  much  reived;  as  many  as  130  or 


CULPEPER    ASSOCIATION.  181 

140  were  added,  under  the  miniflry  of  Mr.  Eve  — 
By  removals,  deaths,  &c.  the  church  was  again  confi- 
derably  reduced,  but  in  1788,  aheavenly  work  com- 
menced, and  went  on  until  '96,  when  after  having  been 
about  2 1  years  under  his  paftoral  care,  the  church  re- 
luctantly gave  Mr.  Eve  a  letter  of  difmiflion  ;  he  be- 
ing about  to  move  to  Kentucky,  ^^fter  a  fpace  of 
about  eight  years  in  which  they  were  fupplied  by  vi- 
iiting  minifters.  Elder  Jofhua  Leather  was  appoint- 
ed paftor,  but  he,  after  about  two  years,  alfo  went  to 
Kentucky.  Since  which  teme,  this  church,  which 
has  been  the  nurfery  of  feveral  ufeful  mimllers,  has 
been  without  a  pallor. 

Jofeph  Early  joined  the  baptifts  in  1772  and  vva: 
a  member  of  Rappadan  church  He  was  a  aiflm- 
guifhed  character  in  in  his  fphere.  Though  not  a 
preacher,  he  had  his  gift,  and  he  did  not  negied  it. 
He  was  rich  in  this  world,  and  he  was  willing  to  com- 
municate. Viewing  himfelf  as  a  steward  for  Cod, 
he  laid  out  his  Lord's  money  according  to  his  in- 
ftrudtions.  His  hands  were  open  to  the  poor  and 
needy.  He  was  the  friend  of  the  friendlefs.  He  al- 
fo beflowed  liberal  for  all  religious pufpofes.  When 
a  meeting  houfe  was  to  be  built,  or  any  other  plaa 
was  in  agitation,  that  required  money,  Mr.  barly's 
purfe  was  eafiiy  commanded.  His  fellow-citizens 
elected  him  to  represent  them  in  the  Legillature,  but 
God  had  elected  him  to  much  higher  honours.  In 
1783,  after  maintaining,  for  about  eleven  years,  a 
mofi  unblamable  reputation,  for  piety  and  goodnefs, 
he  died  in  great  peace,  going  forth  to  meet  the  bride- 
groom, and  has  doubtlefs  entered  with  him  into  the 
marriage  chamber. 

ROBINSON  RIVER. 

Within  the  bouds  of  this  church,  Mr.  Mafon 
preached  for  feveral  years,  having  lingular  refpecl 
and  attention  Ihevvn  him,  by  all  forts  of  people  ;  but 


18ii  HISTORY    OF    THE 

to  his-  great  mortiiication,  he  could  make  no  eftedlu- 
al  intereH:,  for  his  mafter.  This  was  fo  difcoura- 
ging  to  his  foul,  that  he  had  ilrong  thoughts  of  turn- 
ing his  attention  elfewhere,  But  an  unfeen  power 
impelled  him  to  tl)e  work,  until  the  fet  time  for  God 
to  work  :  then  were  their  mouths  filled  with  laugh- 
ter and  their  tongues  with  finging..  A  certain  woman 
on  her  death  bed  obtained  a  hope  of  eternal  life,  and 
when  dying  requeiled  her  friends  to  get  JVlr.  Malbn 
to  preach  at  her  fuueral,  faying  at  the  fame  time 
that  it  would  be  a  great  day.  Accordingly  at  her 
funeral  the  revival  commenced,  and  continued  until 
many  were  turned  to  rightcousnefs.  Mr.  Mafon  has 
ever  Unce  continued  his  minifcrations  among  them 
to  the  fatisfad:ion  of  all :  but  through  rem.ovals,  deaths, 
&c.  this  church  is  pot  no.w  as  large  as  when  con- 
ilituted. 

BLUE  TxVN. 

An  account  of  the  rise  of  this  church,  may  be 
seen  in  our  general  history  of  the  rife  and  progrefs  of 
the  feparate  ^aptifts  in  Virginia.  By  recurring  to 
that  recital,  it  will  be  feen,  that  this  was  among  the 
firft  places  that  the  gofpel  took  effect,  through  the 
labours  of  Mel's.  Harrifs  &  Read,  and  that  as  early 
as  the  4th  of  December  I769  this  church  was  con- 
stituted under  the  pastoral  care  of  Elijah  Graig. — 
Her  history  since  that  period,  reniains  to  be  here 
inserted. 

It  appears  that  they  prospered  under  the  care  of 
£lder  Craig  ;  many  were  added  to  the  church,  and  it. 
was  large  and  prosperous  for  many  years.  In  I786 
E.  Craig  removed  to  Kentucky,  and  then  the  church 
procured  the  services  of  Elder  George  Eve  :  Who 
continued  to  officiate,  as  minister,  until  119'^,  his  min- 
istrations were  much,  very  much  blefsed;  during  the 
years  1788  &  i789,  the  church  was  highly  favoured* 
Many  precious  souls  were  entititled  to  tight  under 
the  banner  of  Chrift,  and  in  the   ranks  of   Bluerun 


CULPEPKR  ASSOCIATION.  18^ 

fchurch.  In  1794  Mr.  Eve  resigned  his  care  of 
Bluenin,  having  to  attend  two  other  churches.  El- 
der Hamilton  GoG  was  then  called  to  the  pastoral 
charge  of  this  church  Under  his  ministry  in  1802 
they  had  a  fmall  revival.  After  continuing  in  the 
church  for  9  or  1  o  years  in  love  and  peace,  Mr.  Gofs 
removed  to  Harrison  county  in  the  Western  part  of 
Virginia;  Mr.  Robert  Jones  then  a  relident  of  Alber- 
marle,  and  unordained,  was  called  to  the  pastoral 
care;  having  accepted  the  call,  he  was  accordingly  or- 
dained for  that  purpofe,  and  removed  his  refidence  to 
Bluerun.  He  is  still  their  paftor,  and  has  been  a- 
mong  them  in  love  and  harmony.  Their  number 
at  present,  is  100,  but  they  have  been  far  more  nume- 
rous, having  been  reduced  by  death  and  frequent  re- 
movals. It  is  v/orthy  of  notice,  that  there  does  not  re- 
main, a  single  member  in  the  church,  who  was  in 
it,  when  firfl  constituted. 

CARTER'S  RUN. 

This  church  was  the  fir  ft  fruits  of  the  Rev.  John 
Picket's  ministry,  and  is  the  mother  ofmoftofthe 
neighbouring  churches  ;  for,  from  her,  were  consti- 
tuted the  following,  viz.  Mill  creek,  Battlerun, 
Hedgeman's  River,  Fiery- Run  and  Uppergoosc 
Creek. 

Shortly  after  her  conftitution  until  his  death.  Car- 
ter's Run  was  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  venerable 
Mr.  John  Picket.  If  any  tiling  remarkable  has 
transpired  within  their  limits  it  has  not  been  commiu- 
.nicated.  See  larther  account  in  the  biography  of 
Mr.  Picket. 

MILL  CREEK. 

This  also  is  a  mother  church,  being  tli^  f  rll  fi  ui::3 
of  the  labours  of  feveral  old  and  faithful  fathers  in  ther 
miniilry,    in  that   part  of  the   diflrid:.       Rev.  John' 
Koones   was    the  firft,  that  preached  a  pure  gofpel 
within  the  limits  of  Millcreek.      Havinof  been  bap- 


184  HISTORY   OF    THE 

tizedin  Faquler,  December,  1768,  and  living  at  the 
time  in  Frederick  county,  near  Frontroyal,  he  began 
in  a  few  months  after  his  baptifm,  to  exhort  a^id 
preach  in  his  own  neighbourhood.  80  he  continued 
until  November  1770,  when  he  refolved  to  go  up  to 
Shenandoah,  into  the  neighbourhood  of  (Mill  Creek, 
where  his  brother  George  Uved.  It  is  eafy  to  con- 
jecture that  Mr.  Koones  v/oitld  hardly  vifit  in  a  dark 
and  unenlightened  place,  without  making  fome  cffiy, 
tc  fpread  the  fai'our  of  the  knowledge  of  Chriil.  He 
did  blow  the  gofpel  trumpet,  and  it  gave  no  uncer- 
tain sound.  Many  were  roufed  from  their  lleep, 
took  the  alarm,  and  fled  for  refuge  Zion's  gates 
were  crowded  with  returning  rebels.  Soon  after 
Mr.  Koones'  labours  began  to  be  profpered  about 
Millcreek,  other  preachers  vifited  them.  Among 
them  was  Lewis  Craig,  John  Picket,  &c.  Mr. 
Koones  not  being  ordained.  Mr.  Lewis  Craig  bap* 
tized  the  firft  converts  Among  the  firfr  that  were 
babtized,  was  Martin  Kauhnun,  who  foon  after 
became  a  preacher.  The  work  went  on,  Mr. 
Koones  laboured  much.  There  were  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood, many  Dutch  or  Germans,  Mr.  Koones 
being  a  German,  could  preach  in  either  language, 
and  would  often  preach  twice,  to  the  fame  congre- 
gation, once  in  Dutch,  and  once  in  LngUfh.  But 
Siall  we  fay,  that  this  work  of  Godlinefs  progreiTed 
to  fo  great  an  extent,  without  any  oppolition  ?  Far 
from  it.  Can  the  lion  be  oufted  from  his  den,  and 
make  no  reliftance  ?  Can  the  bear  be  peaceably 
robbed  of  her  whelps  ?  Will  the  ftrong  man  armed, 
give  up  his  palace,  and  his  goods,  without  a  firug* 
gie  ?  It  is  not  fo.  Mr.  Koones  found  and  fuflained 
with  fortitude  no  little  oppolition.  At  firll  they 
were  contented  to  oiter  reproaches  and  threats.  But 
as  the  work  increafed,  they  reforted  to  more  harlh 
treatment.  Once  Mr  Koones  was  met  on  the  road 
and  beaten.  On  another  oocifion,  he  attended  a 
meeting  towards  Smith's  creek.     When  he  arrived  at 


CULPEPER   ASSaClATION,  1S5 

the  place,  he  was  met  by  a  fet  of  ruffians,  who  forbade 
his  preaching.  One  C'apt.  Leahorn,  a  refpectable 
man  interfered  and  insisted  he  ihould  preach,  and  pre- 
vailed. The  perfecutors  however  threw  out  heavy- 
threats,  that,  if  he  ever  came  that  way  upon  that  er- 
rand again,  they  would  beat  him  feverely.  Mr.  K. 
could  not  be  deterred  from  coming  and  they  kept  their 
word.  He  went  not  long  afrer.  His  enemies  had 
thrown  in  money  and  hired  a  fon  of  darknefs  to  beat 
him.  Accordingly,  as  foon  as  he  arrived,  the  mifcre- 
ant  began  to  ftrike  him  with  the  but  end  of  a  large 
cane,  requiring  him  to  promife  never  to  come  there  a- 
gain.  This  VI r.  K.  pointedly  refufed  to  do.  The 
fellow  continued  beating,  until  he  had  almoU  difabled 
him.  Then  he  left  him.  While  thus  fuffering  Vlr. 
K.  felt  nothing  more  than  a  firm  determination  not 
to  yield  :  But  the  favage  had  left  him  but  a  few  ffceps, 
before  he  felt  his  foal  exceedingly  comforted.  He 
could  then  thank  God,  that  he  was  counted  worthy, 
to  fuiFer  perfecution  for  the  name  of  Chrift. 

Some  time  after  this,  he  and  Martin  Kaufmun  went 
to  a  place  about  6  or  7  miles  from  thence,  and  while 
they  were  preparing  to  preach,  he  heard  a  man  in  a 
room  adjoining  that  in  which  he  and  Mr.  Kaufmun 
were  fitting,  enquire  for  John  Koones.  When  he 
heard  the  enquiry,  he  immediately  fufpected,  that  fome 
mifchief  was  in  agitation,  and  stepped  into  a  third 
,  room  and  got  out  of  fight.  The  fellow,  who  had 
.  probably  been  infligated  by  fome  other  perfons,  did 
not  knov,^  either  Koones  or  Kautmun.  When  he 
came  into  the  room,  he  fuppofed  Martin  Kaufmun 
to  be  John  Koones,  and  without  asking  any  queftions, 
fell  upon  him  with  a  ftick,  or  fomething  oF  the  kind. 
It  was  not  until  after  poor  Martin  had  received  many 
blows,  that  he  could  convince  the  Barbarian,  that  he 
was  not  named  Koones.  In  the  mean  time  the  fel- 
low's wrath  was  fatiatedand  he  went  oif  without  find- 
ins:  Mr.  Koones  at  all. 


I8t>  UISTOKY    OP    TlIK 

On  another  occafion,  he  attended  an  appointment^ 
but  before  he  had  begun  to  preach,  they  took  him  off, 
and  faid  they  would  carry  him  to  prifon.  At  a  fmall 
dhi:ince  from  the  place,  they  met  a  man  coming  to 
meeting,  he  faid  he  had  come  to  hear  Mr.  K.  preach, 
that  they  fhould  not  carry  him  any  farther,  and  at- 
tempted to  refcue  him :  But  the  perfecutors  beat  him  off. 
When  they  had  carried  liim  a  fmall  diftance  farther, 
he  faid  to  them,  take  heed  what  you  do.  if  1  am  a 
man  of  God,  you  fight  again  ft  God.  One  of  the 
party  was  immediately  alarmed.  The  warning  drop- 
ped, was  owned  of  God,  working  in  him,  a  repentance 
never  to  be  repented  of.  They  had  proceeded  but  a 
little  way,  before  the  whole  campany  began  to  relent, 
and  agreed  to  let  him  go.  The  m.an  who  iirll  took 
the  alarm,  and  two  or  three  more  of  the  company, 
afterwards  became  Babtifts.  This  v.-as  the  laft  vio- 
lent attack  made  upon  elder  Kcones.  From  the  time 
of  his  initiation  into  the  ministry.  Until  this  day,  he 
lias  continued  faithfully  to  declare  thecounfel  of  God, 
AmiOng  the  Baptifb  there  are  and  have  been  many 
active  and  laboi'ious  preachers,  whofe  fouls  have  glow- 
ed with  feraphic ardour;  leaning  upon  the  facred  pro- 
mifes,  they  were  willing  to  fuffer  with  Chrifthere, 
that  they  might  reign  v/ith  him  hereafter :  But  con- 
iidering  Air.  Koones'  unwearied  labours  in  the  mi- 
niftry,  the  length  of  time  in  which  he  has  been  en- 
gaged, (about  forty  years,)  confidering  that  he  has  a 
conffitution  that  has  feldom  or  never  failed  him ,  re- 
quiring fliort  and  fc\w  intervals  of  reft,  it  may  be  fair- 
ly ftated,  that  fev/,  if  any,  in  the  ftate  have  furpaffed 
him,  as  to  the  quantum  of  fervice  devoted  to  his  J^ord's 
vineyard.  Ke  has  been  a  labourer  indeed,  and  will, 
no  doubt,  receive  his  full  wages,  whenever  the  Lord 
of  the  vineyard  Ihall  reckon  with  his  fervants.  Mr. 
Koones  is  ftill  living,  and  although  grown  old  in  fer- 
vice, he  does  not  in  any  great  degree  Hack  his  hand. 

Mill  LVeek  was  a  large  church  when  firft  conftitu- 
ted.     Moft  of  the  people  in   the  neighborhood,  pre- 


CULP£PIiR   ASSOCIATION  187 

vious  to  the  preaching  of  the  baptifts,  were  Dutch 
Menonifts.  Thf^  Kaufmuns and  others  who  were  of 
that  fed:,  being  baptized  excited  great  dilpleafure  a- 
mong  the  Menoniib  generally.  In  order  to  overturn 
the  works  of  Satan,  as  they  called  it,  they  fent  for 
preachers  from  Pennlylvania.  In  fome  ihort  time,  4  or 
5  Pennfylyania  Menonift  preachers  came,  They  la- 
bored much  to  prevent  the  \vork  then  going  en. — 
They  conceived  that  John  Koones  was  the  chief 
caule  of  this  diflurbance,  and  thought  if  he  could  be 
convinced  or  overfet,  by  any  means,  there  would  be 
no  more  of  it  ;  feeing  he  could  preach  in  iJutch  — 
To  this  end  the  preachers  came  to  his  licufe,  and  la- 
boured much  to  convince  him.  They  contended,  that 
Chriftians  ought  not  to  hold  with  going  to  war,  with 
ilaveiy  or  taking  legal  oaths.  That  thele  were  fun- 
damental points.  To  this  Mr.  Koones  replied,  that 
tjie  Baptifts,  upon  thefe  points,  left  every  man  at  cif- 
cretion,  wilhing  all  to  foLow  the  di(ftates  of  his  own 
confcience  :  He  then  queflioned  them,  as  to  the  rea- 
fon  of  their  hope  in  Chrifl:  ;  whether  they  had  felt 
the  power  of  godlinefs  in  their  hearts,  or  whether  they 
relied  upon  their  nurfery  fait?!.  He  found  them  en- 
tire flrangers  to  vital  godlinefs,  denying  the  exigence 
thereof.  They  left  him,  and  held  meeting  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, two  days.  Striving  publicly  and  privately, 
^gainft  the  reyiyai  that  was  then  happily  progrefiing. 

Their  labour  was  in  vain.  Gp4  ftd.  added  to  his 
people  fuch  as  fhould  be  faved. 

When  the  phurch,  npv\'  called  Pvlill  Creek,  then 
Whitehoufe,  was  firil.  conftituted,  there  were  two 
preachers  in  it,  viz:  Anderfon  IVlofFet  and  Martin 
Kaufmun  ;  for  Mr.  Koones  had  not  then  moved  from 
his  relidence  near  Frontroyal.  There  being  two 
preachers,  enquiry  was  made,  which  ihould  be  ehofen 
as  pallor  :  On  this  queilion  they  were  divided,  and 
being  cullomary  to  have  ihtm  unanimous,  no  choice 
could  be  made.  So  the  aifair  ilood,  until  the  year 
.177:i  or  5,  when  Mr.  Koonc  \  '  -.-^ing  f-^ttbd  ar.^ion'.^ 


188  ill  STORY    OF    THE 

them,  he  v/as  ordained  to  the  care  of  the  church.  A- 
bout  the  lame  time  Smith's  Creek  was  conftituted 
ofF,  partly  from  the  Whitehoufe  and  partly  from  Lyn- 
vil's  Creek,  and  A.  IVlofiet  became  their  paftor. 

Martin  Kaufmun  having  been  a  Mcnonill:  previous 
to  his  converlion,  retained  moft  of  their  principles, 
after  he  became  a  Babtift.  When  the  American  re- 
volutionary war  broke  out,  moil  of  the  Baptilb,  be« 
Ing  attached  to  the  principles  of  the  revolution,  took 
the  oath  of  allegiance,  and  many  of  them  joined  the 
army.  This  gave  great  offence  to  Martin  Kaufmun, 
and  ten  or  twelve  others,  who  had  been  l^Unonifls. 

Some  ineffedual  attempts  were  made  to  latisfy  them, 
in  which,  it  was  urged,  that  inafmuch  as  they  were 
not  hindered  in  the  enjoyment  of  their  own  opinions, 
they  ought  to  leave  others  in  the  fame  enjoyment : 
That  mutual  forbearance  in  all  matters  of  fecondary 
importance  was  indifpenfibly  necellary  to  the  happi- 
nefs  of  fociety  :  That  in  our  prefent  imperfedl  flate, 
perfed:  coincidence  of  opinion  in  all  matters,  was  not 
to  he  expected,  and  that  at  leaft,  when  it  was  found, 
thatfo  large  a  majority  of  the  fociety,  to  which  they 
were  united,  differed  from  them  ;  they  ought  to  fuf- 
ptdc  the  corrednefs  of  their  own  opinion,  fo  far  as  to 
yield  the  liberty  of  confcience  to  others,  without 
pufhing  matters  to  extremes.  To  all  thefe  arguments 
they  replied,  that  to  them  it  appeared,  that  the  points 
of  difference  were  of  primary  importance,  and  that  they 
could  not,  in  good  confcience  hold  fcllowfliip  or  com- 
munion with  perfons,  who  allowed  fuch  unlawful 
practices.  All  attempts  to  reconcile  them  failed,  and 
they  finally  broke  off  and  formed  a  feparate  party. — 
From  time  to  time  others  fell  into  their  way  of  think- 
ing, until  their  number  ultim.ately  fwclledto  6"0  or  70. 
Mr.  Kaufmun  became  their  preacher,  having  been 
ordained  by  two  of  his  own  members.  Their  doc- 
trine was  not  fo  Calviniftic  as  that  of  the  Babtifts  ge- 
nerally. They  profefled  to  believe  in  univerfal  pro- 
^'iflon,  and  lir.al  perfeverance.     Their  difcipline  was 


CULPEPER    ASSOCIATION.  189 

nearly  the  lame  as  that  of  the  Baptifts.  This  party 
continued  to  increafe  moderately  for  fome  time,  until 
fomeotherchurches  were  formed,  and  preachers  raif-- 
ed  up.  Mr.  Kaufmun  however,  was  the  foul  of  the 
party,  and  when  he  became  old  and  lefs  capable  of 
adive  exertion,  they  declined  fail.  After  his  death, 
which  took  place  in  1805,  they  difperfed :  Some 
joined  the  old  Mill  Creek  church  and  fome  Smithes 
Creek.  Kaufmun  was  generally  coniidered.  a  pi- 
ous and  inoffenfive  man,  very  zealous  and  indeflitiga- 
ble.  His  intelled:ual  powers,  however,  were  very 
fmall,  and  his  prejudices  ftrong.  He  feldom  or  ne- 
ver adopted  harfh  terms  in  his  oppofition  to  the  Bap- 
tifts, always  manifefled  coniiderable  affection  and 
friendfhip  towards  them,  when  in  their  company. — - 
All  things  coniidered,  it  is  moll:  rational  as  well  as 
moft  charitable,  to  prefume,  that  Martin  was  adluated 
from  pure  motives,  and  that  he  confcientioully  be* 
lieved  that  he  ought  to  do,  what  he  did. 

At  an  alfociation  held  for  the  Orange  dillri(fl,  in 
May,  1709,  an  entry  is  made  in  the  following  words: ' 
A  letter  cam^e  to    the  alfociation  from  the  Menonift ' 
Baptift  church,  at  the  Whitehoufe,  praying  for  a  re- 
conciliation ;  which  church  feparated  from  us,  in  the 
time  of  the  war,  becaufe  they  would  keep  no  Haves, 
fwear  no  oaths,  nor  bear  arms  in  defence  of  their  coun~i 
try.     A  letter  was  written  by  the  alfociation,  in    an-' 
fwerto  the  one  received,  and   a  committee  appointed' 
to  wait  on  the  church,  who  reported  to  the  next  af- 
fociation,  that  they  attended  and  found  that  there  was 
no  probability  of  a  reconciliation.  .  Mill  Creek  church 
has  had   many  ebbs  and   flows,  but  is  now  in  good 
Handing,  and  about  as  numerous  as  when  firft  conlf  i^ 
tuted* 

SMITH   CREEK. 

This  church  was  constituted  off  from  Milicreek 
formerly,  called  the  White  Houlc.  The  iirft  dav/n 
of  divine    light  in  this    neishbourhocd  arcfe   from 


100  III  STORY    OF    THE 

aftw  Baptists  who  had  moved  Into  its  limits  and 
adopted  the  practice  of  meeting  at  private  houses  on 
Sundays  and  other  convenient  seasons,  for  the  pur- 
pofe  of  iinging  and  praying  and  reading  the  fcriptures. 
By  these  means,  iinprefiions  were  made  upon  the 
minds  of  many,  so  as  to  induce  them  to  go  a  greater 
distance  to  hear  preaching,  and  to  invite  preachers. 
They  were  also  favoured  with  the  divine  mercy,  so 
far  as  to  have  preachers  raised  up  among  tliem ; 
these  vv-ere  ^4r.  Ireland  and  Mr.  Moffett.  Tlie 
latter  of  whom  took  the  care  of  the  church  about  2 
jjjears  after  her  conilitution,  and  has  ever  since  retain- 
ed it.  They  have  had  many  revivals  and  declen- 
fions,  ])ut  none  of  which  were  reirarkablc.  Mr. 
Moffett  from  the  time  of  his  firil:  entry  upon  the  min- 
istry, until  this  time,  has  been  a  fleady,  pious  and  use- 
ful minister  of  the  gofpel.  Some  years  pafl,  by  an  un- 
fortunate fall  from  his  horse,  he  got  very  much  crip- 
pled, since  which  time,  he  has  been  so  lam.e  as  not 
to  be  able  to  move  about  without  great  inconveni- 
ence. He  continues  neverthelefs  to  labour  in  the 
vineyard  as  far  as  he  is  able,  and  will  probably  ere 
long  iinilli  his  course  with  joy. 

LOST  RIVER, 

Has  not  been  fo  large  andflourifning  as  many  others. 
At  times,  however,  there  have  been  fome  lively  ftirs,  ■ 
in  which  the  church  would  increafe  ccniiderably,  but 
by  frequent  removals,  deaths,  &c.  they  were  again 
reduced  to  a  fmall  number.  At  their  lirst  conftitu- 
tion  they  procured  the  ilated  miniflry  of  Rev'd.  A. 
Moftett,  whofe  labours  were  owned  of  God.  After 
Mr.  Moffett  left  them,  they  procured  the  attendance 
of  John  Koones  ;  In  a  icw  years  Jofiah  Osburne 
commenced  preaching,  but  after  a  little  tim^e  moved 
to  Greenbrier.  Since  that  time  they  have  obtained 
the  occaiional  and  ifated  fervices  cf  ciders  Moftett, 
Koones  and  Monroe,  juif  as  they  could.  At  prefent  a 
promifing  preacher  by  the  name  of  Spcrry  is  among 
them. 


C-uLPEPEil  ASSOCIATION.  191 

LUNIE's  CREEK. 

This  church  was  planted  by  the  united  labours  of  i 
elders  Jofeph  Reddin  artd  John  Taylor,  who,   at  the 
time  of  their  corninp:  among  them,  were  younr-'-  and 
unordained  preachers.     By    the    oceafional    vifits  of 
sldsr  Koones  and  others,  ordained  miniflers,  a  fuffi- 
clent  number  were  baptized  to  form  a  church,  and 
they  were  conflituted,  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Ueddin, 
who  had  now  moved  within  their  limits,  and  was  or- 
dained for  that  purpofe.     The  church  greatly   flou- 
riflied  under  his  miniilration,   until  fome   unpleafant 
difp'jtc,   ariiing  about  regulars   and  feparates,  Mr. 
Reddin  moved  away.     The  difcipiine  of  the  church 
was  throv/n  a(ide,  and  of  courfe,  every  thing  fell  into 
confuiion.     No  Baptift  preacher    preached    among 
them  for  the  fpace  of  four  years.     It  fell  to  the  lot  of 
the  faithful  Mr.  Koones  to  re  if  ore  order  among  them. 
/\fter  which,  he  preached  ftatedly  for  them,   during 
aconfiderable  time,  although  he  reiided  about  70  miles 
from  them.     A  certain  Mr.  \Vaiker,  an  excomm.u- 
nicated  Baptift,  impofed  hiinfelf  upon  this  churchy 
and  was  by  them  imprudently  received  and  ordained 
among  them  ;  which  furnilhes  additional  proof  that 
more  caution  ought  to  be    ufcd  in  the   ordination  of 
miniflers.     This  church  is  now  deflitute  of  a  paf- 
tor. 

LYNVlLLE's  CREEK, 

Called  at  iiril  Smith's  and  Lynville's  Creek,  is  no- 
ticed in  our  general  hiilory  of  the  origin  and  pro- 
ffrefs  of  the  rei^alar  Baptilfs.  It  will  aopear  from 
what  is  there  ftated,  that  this  is  among  the  oldell:  Bap- 
till:  churches  in  Virginia,  and  that  elder  John  Alder- 
fon,  fen.  was  their  first  paifor.  Under  his  care  they 
went  on  very  h-Appily,  having  confiaenibly  increaled, 
until  the  fall  ]7j7>  when  the  Indians  invaded  their 
country  and  fcattered  the  church,  many  of  whom 
moved  4o  or  50  miles  belo^-   ^he  Blue-Ridge.     Af- 


192  mSTOfiY    OF    THE 

ter  two  or  three  years   they  rallied  again,  put  their 
church  matters  in  a  regular  train,  and  on  the  12th  of 
Od:ober,  1762.    was    received  as    a  member  of  the 
Philadelphia  aflbciation.      In  the  fummer  of  176:5, 
they  were  again   difturbed   by  the  irruptions  of  the 
Indians,  but  returned  again  in  a  fhort  time  and  conti- 
nued their  church-ftatc  peaceably  and  tolerablv  prof- 
perous  for  many  years.     In  i77-3,  John  Alderfon,  jr. 
ion  of  their  firft  pallor,  was  ordained  and  took  the  paf- 
toral  care  of  the  church.     In  1777  their  beloved  paf- 
tor  moved  into  Greenbrier  county,  leaving  the  church 
dertitute  of  any  ftated  miniftry.     In  confequence  of 
which,  difcipline  was  negledled  and  every  thing  fell 
into  confulion,  and  fo  continued  for  about  ten  years. 
1787,  they  gathered  the  fragm.ents  of  the  church,  fet 
things  in  order,  agreed  to  keep  up  regular  difcipline 
and  obtained   the  ftated    fervices   of  elder  Anderfon 
]VIoftett,   a  neighboring  minlfter.      They  now  went 
on  fmoothly,  and  frequent  additions  were  made  to  the 
church.   In  1791  they  received  as  member  and  pallor 
Mr.  James  Johnfon,  hitherto  a  licenfed  preacher  m 
Buckmarfli.     The  church  fiourillied  under  his  minif- 
try.     But  to  the  great  lofs  of  the  church  Mr.  John- 
fon alfo  moved  off  into    Kenawha  county,    1 79^.^*— 
Since  that  time  they  have  had  the  ftated  and  occafi- 
onal  fervices  of  the  faithful  but  aged  elder  A.  Moffett. 
This  has  never  been  a  large  chnrch,  but  can  boaft  of 
feveral  worthy  and  valuable  members. 

Silas  Hart,  a  native  of  Pennfylvania,  moved  into  the 
bounds  of  this  church  and  became  a  member.  He 
died  and  left  by  his  laft  v/ill,  to  the  Philadelphia  af-* 
fociation,  property  fufficient  to  yield  an  annuity  pi 
£  50.  to  be  kept  in  the  hands  oftruftees  and  appHed 
to  the  education  of  young  preachers.  The  Philadel- 
pnia  alibciation  appointed  the  Rev'd.  David  Jones  to 
receive  the  money  in  their  behalf ;  but  upon  ap- 
plication ,  the  executors  of  Hart  refufed  to  pay,  up- 
on the  ground  that  the  ailociatien  was  not  incorpora- 
ted, and  confequently  not  kno\vn  in  law,  or  capable 


r  ULPEPER  ASSOCIATION-.  393 

of  maintaining  an  action.  David  Jones  commenced 
a  fuit  in  chancery  in  Rockingham  court,  and  in  1802 
a  decree  was  pronounced  in  favor  of  the  executors. 
Jones  appealed  to  the  Staunton  high  court  of  chancery, 
when,  in  1 803,  the  decree  was  affirmed  ;  he  then  ap- 
pealed to  the  high  court  of  appeals,  where,  in  t><07 
the  decree  was  finally  affirmed.  Between  the  time 
of  the  decifion  in  the  Staunton  Chancery  court  and 
that  in  the  court  of  appeals,  the  Philadelphia  afibci- 
ation  became  incorporated.  This,  taking  place  fub- 
fequent  to  the  commencement  of  the  fuit,  did  nota- 
vail  as  to  the  fuit  then  depending.  The  court  of  ap- 
peals however,  made  a  refervation  in  the  decree,  da- 
ting that  nothing  done  in  this  fuit  ihould  afFed:  any 
other  fuit  which  fliould  be  hereafter  brought  by  the 
Baptift  alTociation,  meeting  in  ordinary  at  Philadel- 
phia: So  that  by  reforting  to  another  original  adii- 
on,  the  affociation  will  ultimately  receive  the  money. 
This  is  certainly  an  important  cafe  to  the  Baptifts  of 
Virginia.  From  the  deciiion  above  mentioned,  it 
would  feem  doubtful  whether  any  property  holden 
by  the  Baptifts  as  a  religious  fociety  is  fafe.  It  re- 
mains therefore  for  them  hereafter  to  decide,  whether 
it  will  be  beft  to  fuffer  their  meeting  houfes  and  other 
property  to  continue  thus  jeopardized,  or  to  become 
incorporated.  If  their  becoming  incorporated  would 
be  a  dangerous  precedent,  leading  in  any  wife  to  re- 
ligious oppreffion,  it  is  better  to  remain  as  they  are, 
for  it  would  certainly  be  more  wife  to  jeopardize  pro- 
perty than  principles.  A  fair  and  unprejudiced  invef- 
ligation  of  this  fubject  is  defirable  at  this  time,  and 
would  probably  lead  to  beneficial  effedts. 


194  HISTORY  OF   THE 

TABLfi  OF  THE  MIDDLE  DISTRICT. 


^ 

0  5!i      ^ 

1 

s.v 

3  5 

r« 

Names  of 
Churches. 

XO 

C-.  0- 

T    1 

By  whom 
planted. 

Former 
pastors. 

Present 
pastors. 

Countiijj 

•    © 

c 
3 

Nottoway, 

1769 

40 

60 

Harrils  and 
Walker. 

J.  Walker, 
S.  Walton. 

Nottoway 

Fowhafan 

1771 

Si 

150 

W.  Web-  - 

ber  and- 
J.  Anthony 

D.  Tinfley, 
J    Dupuy, 
G.  Smith, 
J.  Wooid- 
ridge. 

Powhataa 

Muddy. 

. 

J.  Walker, 

S.Woodfin. 

do. 

Creek, 

»774 

10 

300 

R.  Chrifti- 

Skinquar- 

an. 

W.  Hick- 

C. Porfee. 

Chefter- 

ter. 

1778 

30 

172 

VV.  Hick- 

man, 

field. 

Tomn^a- 

man. 

J.Goode. 

hawk. 

»777 

15 

7» 

S.  Harrifs 
&  others. 

J.  Hatcher, 
W.  Hick- 
man,      G. 

W.  Flout - 
noyi 

do.      , 

Spring 

G.  Smith, 

Smith,     & 

Creek, 

i7<)o 

47 

220 

B.  Wat- 

J. Rucks. 

Chefter- 

kins. 

B.Watkins 

B.Watkins 

do. 

fieW, 

»77? 

20 

200 

E.  Clay. 

E.  Clay. 

E.  Clay. 

do. 

Salem, 

iSoz 

fi7 

156 

E.  Clay. 

T.  Lafon. 

T.  Lafon. 

cio. 

CHAPTER  XVIi. 

History  of  the  Middle  DiftriB  Afsociation,  including 
the  Sketches  of  Churches, 

When  the  General  AfTociation  was  divided,  the 
Lower  Diftridt,  on  the  fouthlide  of  James  River,  af- 
fumed  the  name  of  The  Middle  Diftridl,  being  be- 
tween the  Upper,  which  was  called  Strawberry,  and 
the  Portfmouth  ,  which  was  then  a  part  of  the  Ke- 
iiukee.  The  Middle  Diftridl  includedallthe  churches 
between  the  upper  boundary  of  the  Kehukee,  and  the 
lower  boundary  of  the  Strawberry.  The  exad:  num- 
ber of  churches  cannot  be  afcertained  -,  as  they  were 
not  entered  in  the  afTociation  minutes  in  thofe  days. 

The  Middle  Diftrid:  alTociatioh  met  in  1784,  for 
the  firft  time,  and  organized  themfelves.*  Their  fe- 
cond  feflion  was  holden  at  Rice's  meeting  houfe, 
Prince- Edward  county.  May  9th,  1785.  A  general 
dearth   in  religion  exifted,  almoft  throughout   the 

*  The  minutes  of  this  feflion  could  not  be  procured. 


MIDDLET  DISTRICT    ASSOGIATIOK.  195 

ilate.     The  names  of  fifteen  delegates  only,  arc  en- 
tered upon  the  minutes  as  fent  from  all  the  churches. 

The  bufincfs  of  this  feflion  related  chiefly  to  ilate 
grievances,  all  of  which  are  noticed  elfewherc. 

The  alTociation  continued  to  meet  twice  a  year  dur- 
ing this  cold  and  wintry  ftate ;  but  they  took  up  ve- 
ry few  fubjeds  except  thofe  that  refpedied  local  mat- 
ters. 
In  May,  1787,  they  met  at  Nottoway  meeting  houfe: 
the  profpedts  began  to  be  more  aufpicious  j  about  four 
times  as  many  delegates  attended  the  alTociation.'— 
Many  churches  fpeak  of  revivals  either  already  com- 
menced^ or  ready  to  break  forth.  As  focn  as  there 
was  fufficient  warmth  to  put  the  churches  in  motion, 
fo  as  to  induce  them  to  fend  their  delegates  to  the  af- 
fociation,  it  was  found  that  the  diftri^l  was  too  large 
to  aflemble  i-n  one  body,  accordingly  when  they  met 
at  Moflingford,  May,  1788,  they  agreed  to  divide 
into  two  difl:rid:s,  or  rather  to  firike  off  the  upper 
churches,  in  order  to  form  a  new  afTociation,  which 
was  called  Roanoke.  The  boundaries  were  fixed  as 
follow  :  Beginning  where  the  Kehukee  aflbciation 
line  crofTes  the  Meherrin  river,  from  thence  upward, 
by  Lunenburg  court  houfe,  to  the  Double  Bridges, 
from  thence  to  Charlotte  ccurthoufe,  thence  the  La  w- 
er's  road  to  New-London  to  the  upper  line  dividing 
Strawberry  Diftrid:-,  leaving  it  optional  with  church- 
es, near  the  line,  to  alTociate  in  either  diflrid:,  as  may 
fuit  their  convenience. 

They  held  their  firfi:  feflion,  after  the  divifion,  at 
Rice's  meeting  houfe.  Prince  Edward  county,  where 
tliey  made  fome  new  regulations  for  the  government 
of  the  aflbciation. 

During  the  different  feflions  between  '88  and  '9 1 
nothing  of  any  impci'tance  was  done..  The  accounts 
received  from  the  churches  were  interefting.  It  was 
a  time  of  ingathering  of  fouls. 

In  May,  1791,  they  met  at  Cedar  Creek  meeting 
houfe,  in  Lunenburg  county.     Here  it  appears  that 


100  IllSTORV  ov   Tiir) 

the  revivals  in  fome  places  had  fubiidcd,  but  in  others 
we  re  going  on. 

The  Circular  Letter  for  this  feffion,  was  a  plealing 
performance  ;  it  contains  thefe  forcible  remarks  upon 
miniflerial  support,  "  We  fear  covetoufnefs  and  want 
of  reafonable  fupport  of  the  miniftry,  is  one  great  rea- 
son, why  we  are  fo  languid  in  vital  religion. — 
When  cu*-  minifters  ought  to  be  out, and  working  in 
God's  vineyard,  behold  they  arc  forced  to  leave  the 
flock,  hungering  for  the  bread  of  life,  while  they  are 
il:ruggling  to  provide  neceffaries  for  their  famil  es." 
When  we  confider  the  many  pertinent  publications 
upon  this  fubjed:,  as  well  as,  the  clear  and  obvious 
manner  in  which  it  is  laid  down  in  the  fcriptures,  it 
is  fome  what  aftoniftiing  that  this  duty  is  ftill  fo  lit- 
tle attended  to.      What  is  man  in  his  heft  eftate  ! 

From  this  felTion,  until  Odtober,  179-,  v/hen  they 
met  at  Appomattox  meeting  houfe,  the  bulinefs  was 
altogether  local.  At  the  above  feflion,  they  made 
an  arrangement  rather  of  a  fmgular  nature.  It  was 
agreed  that  perfons  appointed  by  the  afTociation  fhould 
vifit  every  church  in  the  dillridl,  and  "  enquire  into 
their  ftate  and  flanding  ;  to  fee  whether  the  word 
and  ordinances  are  duly  adminiflered ;  difcipline  kept 
up  ;  gifts  encouraged  and  licenfed  j  afufficient  num- 
ber of  deacons  ordained  ;  paflors  fupported  ;  flocks 
vilited  from  houfe  to  houfe,  and  their  numbers 
known  ;  churches  deftitute  of  pallors  inflru(5led  in 
their  duty  :  fmall  conflitutions,  not  able  to  live,  to  be 
diflblved  ;  overgrown  churches  to  be  conflituted  for 
convenience."  ^ 

From  this,  as  well  as  many  other  proceedings ^in 
the  different  aflbciations,  it  clearly  appears,  that  the 
churches  are  often  willing  to  depute  to  the  afTociati- 
ons,  a  portion  of  power,  a?  beiag  necelfary  for  the 
prefervation  of  order  and  good  government,  and  that 
when  rightly  ufed  it  is  always  productive  of  good  ef- 
fects. 1 1  is  incumbent  on  the  churches  to  inhibit  them 
from  any  abulc  of  fuch  pov/ers. 


J:.IIDDLE4'l>ISTniCT    ASSOCIATION.  197 

From  06lober,  1792,  until  October,  1797,  they 
met,  as  ufual,  twice  a  year.  Complaints  of  the  cold 
Ihite  of  religion,  during  this  feafon,  are  univerfaL  In 
1797,  the  tone  is  much  changed  At  their  fcfTion  at 
TrayJer's  in  Chellerfield,  they  (aj  in  their  circular 
letter,  "  Mow  are  our  joys  and  ibrrows  heightened  by 
turns,  whiiil  we  hear  from  lome  parts  that  God  is 
magnifying  the  riches  of  his  grace,  in  the  falvation 
of  iinners,  and  from  others,  that  no  fymptoms  of  revi- 
vals appear." 

The  feilions  were  as  ufual,  until  October,  iSco^ 
when  they  met  at  Tarwallet  meeting  houfe,  in  Cum- 
berland county.  I'his  is  faid  to  have  been  one  of  the 
mod  unplealant,  and  indeed  confufed  meetings  that 
the  afTociation  had  ever  Vv^itneffed.  The  confequen- 
ces  did  not  fubfide  for  feveral  years,  as  v/e  (liall  pre- 
fently  ftiow. 

it  was  at  this  feilion  that  Mr.  Conrad  Speece  (now 
a  Presbyterian  preacher)  who  had  been  baptized  in 
the  courfe  of  this  year,  by  elder  James  Saunders,  was 
introduced  as  a  Baptifl  preacher,  and  was  found  both 
in  the  pulpit  and  in  private  conference  agreable  and 
clever.  J-le  v/as  a  man  of  conliderable  learning,  hav- 
ing been  educated  for  a  Presbyterian  preacher.  By 
reading  fome  treatife  on  believers  baptifm,  as  'tis  laid, 
he  became  convinced  of  the  impropriety  of  infant 
baptifm.  After  fome  tmie,  devoted  to  the  fludy  of 
the  fubjedt,  he  offered  himlelf  as  a  candidate  for  bap- 
tifm, and  Was  accordingly  baptized,  by  Mr.  Saun- 
ders* Soon  after  this  aflbciation,  he  profeffed  to  be  a- 
gain  convinccfi  of  the  validity  of  infant  Iprinkling, 
and  wrote  a  letter  to  Mr.  Saunders,  to  that  effedt. — 
He  rejoined  the  Presbyterians,  and  has  fince  continu- 
ed with  them. 

Of  his  motives  it  is  difficult  to  judge.  By  fome  it 
Vv'as  faid,  that  he  was  difgufled  with  the  turbulent 
proceedmgs  of  the  affociation  at  this  feflion :  By  others^ 
that  Mr.  Speece  was  much  difappointed,  on  finding 
that  Baptiit  -preachers  received  little  cr  no  compen^ 


,198  HISTORY   OF   THE 

fation  for  their  ininiflerial  fervices.  It  is,  perhaps, 
more  probable,  that  he  found  the  general  tenor  of  the 
manners  and  cuftom•^^  of  the  Baptifts,  quite  different 
from  his  own  and  thofe  of  his  former  alfociates.  Find- 
ing his  temper  foweredat  the  lofs  of  fociety  to  which 
his  habits  were  allimilated,  and  not  able,  at  once,  to 
accommodate  himfelf  to  that,  into  which  he  had  now 
fallen,  he  was  the  more  eafily  perfuaded  of  the  truth 
of  principles,  which  but  a  few  months  previoully,  he 
had  renounced  as  erroneous  andfalfc.  Jt  has  fome- 
times  been  made  a  queftion,  in  private  companies, 
whether  it  would  not  have  been  more  wife,  on  this 
occafion,  to  have  feparated  baptifm  and  church  mem- 
berfhip.  There  were,  at  that  time,  feveral  other  emi- 
nent Presbyterian  preachers,  halting  between  two  opi- 
nions. It  was  thought  they  were  perfedly  perfuad- 
ed of  the  impropriety  of  infant  baptifm,  and  there- 
fore did  not,  for  many  years,  baptize  a  lingle  child, 
but  were  averfe  to  joining  the  Baptifts,  or  however, 
from  fome  caufe,  did  not  do  it.  Now,  fay  fome,  had 
one  or  more  of  thefe  been  baptized,  without  requir- 
ing them  to  become  members  of  the  Baptift  church, 
he  could  have  baptized  the  reft,  and  they  might  have 
formed  a  fociety  to  themfelves,  in  Avhich  the  ordinan- 
ces would  have  been  preferved  pure,  although  iheir 
church  government  and  general  manners  would  have 
been  different  from  the  other  Baptifts.  Thefe  fug- 
geftions  were  wholly  fpeculative,  one  thing  however, 
is  certain,  that  when  Mr.  Speece  deferted  the 
Baptifts,  the  fcruples  of  all  the  others  were  quickly 
removed,  and  they  refumed  the  iabfurd  prac- 
tice of  fprinkling  children.  Of  Speece  we  muft  fay, 
we  wiihj  that  he  had  either  never  fubmitted  to  bap- 
tifm, or  that  being  baptized,  he  had  not  again  turned 
♦iway. 

After  their  ufual  feftions,  holden  twice  a  year,  in 
which  they  only  arrange^  local  matters,  the  aftbcia- 
tion  met.  May,  J  803,  at  Bethel  meeting  houfe,  in 
Chefterfield  county.  Here  they  finally  fettled  the 
confufed  bufinefs  arifing  from  the  felTion  of  i8oo.-r- 


I  MIDDLE  ^JSTRICT   ASSOCIATION.  J9P 

At  the.leffion  of  i^oo,  a  cenfure  was  voted,  againS' 
a  member  of  the  aflbciation,  who  had  been  appointed 
to  attend  the  General  Meeting  of  Correfpondence; 
but  who  had  not  attended  ;  alledging  for  excufe,  that 
he  difapproved  of  the  inftitution.     The  vote  of  cen- 
fure gave  great  umbrage  to  the  delinquent  member. 
After  conliderable  confulion,  the  vote  of  cenfure  was 
refcinded.     This    did  not   prove    fatisfactory.     He 
complained  to  the  church,  of  which  he  was  a  mem- 
ber, and  they  remonflrated  to  the  next  alTociation. 
The  matter  was  agitated  from  feffion  to  fcffion,  but 
not  effedtually  fettled,  until  the  Bethel  meeting.     It 
feems,  the  church  required  of  the  alTociation  to  make 
conceffions   for  having  maltreated  their  delegate. — - 
When  the  thing  was  taken  up  at  Bethel,  the  depu- 
ties from  the  churches*  made  their  remonftrances, 
and  the  alTociation  made  conceffions.     This  mani- 
felled,  on  the  part  of  the  alTociation,  a  pacific  difpoli- 
tion,  which  is  highly  commendable  when  applied  to 
fuitable  cafes.    Whether  the  cenfure  was  unmerited, 
or  the  remonllrancejuft  or  not,  the  mode  of  proceed- 
ing was  furely  highly  incorrect.     To  ask  one  alTo- 
ciation to  make  conceffions  for  the  acfls  of  another,  is 
virtually  to  require  of  one  fet  of  men,  to  repent  for 
the  fins  of  another,  feeing  no  two  alTociations  would 
probably  be  compofed  of  the  fame  individuals,  and 
efpecially  at  the  diltanee  of  two  or  three  years  from 
each  other.     The  moll  that  one  alTembly  of  repre- 
fentatives,  in  any  cafe,  can  properly  do  towards  mak- 
ing reparation  for  the  olTences  of  another,  is  torefcind 
their  offenfive  meafurcs.     For  an  alTociation  to  make 
diredt  conceffions  to  an   individual  or  a  fet  of  indivi- 
duals, is  too  great  a  prollration  of  dignity  ever  to  be 
thought  of. 

Odbober,  1803,  they  met  at  Walker's  meeting  houfe 
in  Prince- Edward  county. 

Here  a  propofition  was  made  to  divide  the  dillrid:. 

•  Two  or  three  other  churches  had  united  in  the  remonftrance. 


300  HISTORY  OP   tJti 

In  anfwcr  to  which,  it  was  agreed,  to  call  a  cSn^^h- 
tion,  conlifting  of  two  members  from  a  church,  and 
that  an  invitation  be  given  to  the  Roanoke  and  Portf- 
mouth  aiicciations  to  unite  in  the  convention,  fo  that 
they  might,  if  agreeable,  flrike  oft  a  part  of  their 
churches,  in  order  to  make  the  aflbciitions,  by  this 
new  arrangement,  more  convenient  for  all  parties.  ^■.  he 
convention  accordingly  met,  and  formed  two  new  af- 
fociations,  leaving  to  the  ^Middle  Diftrid,  only  nine 
churches. 

For  further  account  of  this  divifion,  fee  Appomat- 
tox aflbciation. 

The  Middle  Diftricl  continued  to  meet  twice  a 
year,  until  1 807,  when  they  refolved  to  have  only 
one  fefTion  in  each  year. 

No  bufinefs  worthy  of  hiftorlcal  notice  has  been 
tranfaded,  fince  they  were  thus  reduced.  They  have 
hitherto  refufed  to  become  members  of  the  General 
Meeting  of  Correfpi^ndence. 

From  the  time  of  the  divifion  in  1783,  until  this 
time,  Rev'd  Eleazer  Clay  has  generally  adted  as  mo- 
jierator;  a  few  feflions  excepted.  Until  Roanoke 
was  flricken  off,  Rev'd  John  Willkms  aded  as  clerk. 
From  that  time  until  he  moved  to  Kentucky  in  1795> 
Rev'd  Simeon  Walton  a6ted.  Since  that  period.  Rev. 
Benjamin  Watkins  has  dicharged  the  duties  of  that 
office.  The  continuation  of  the  fame  clerk,  without 
re-appointmcnt  at  each  feffion,  leems  to  be  a  wife  and 
prudent  meafure.  The  papers  being  lodged  in  his 
hands,  he  would  feel  it  more  incumbent  on  him,  to 
be  in  pl.^ce,  as  well  as  to  qualify  him.felf,  moreexpert- 
iy,  for  his  office,  when  he  knows  there  is  no  uncer- 
tainty as  to  his  appointment. 

NOTTOWAY. 

The  firfl  origin  of  vital  religion  in  this  neighbor- 
hood, began  with  a  Mr.  Samuel  rhompfon.  He  was 
not  a  preacher,  yet  willing  to  do,  what  he  had  talents 
for  i  he  read  publicly,  to  fuch  as  would  come  to  hear 


MIDDLJa  DISTttlCT  ASSOCIATION.  ,    20i 

him,  Whitfield  and  Davles's  fermons.  By  this  means 
fom  of  his  neighbours  obtained  a  hope  of  eternal 
life.  Thefe'new  converts  hearing  that  there  were 
perfons  ©n  Dan  river  that  preached  thefe  doctrines, 
they  travelled  off  to  look  for  them.  This  took  place 
about  i  768.  They  procured  the  attend, .nee  of  Har- 
rifs  and  Walker.  Their  fpeech  and  their  preaching 
>vhile  among  them,  was  in  demonftration  of  the  Spi- 
rit and  power.  A  great  work  broke  out  in  thofe 
parts.  Infomuch  that  the  above  church  was  confli- 
»tuted  in  1769,  and  called  Nottoway;  which  may  be 
faid  to  be  the  mother  church  of  all  others,  for  many 
miles  in  circumference.  Jeremiah  Walker  moved 
from  North  Carolina  and  took  the  paitoral  care  of 
them.  Few  men  in  fo  fhort  a  tim^e  did  more  good 
than  Walker  did,  round  about  Nottoway.  P.eiides 
his  labours  in  the  adjacent  neighbourhoods,  by  which 
many  churches  were  planted,  his  luccefs  in  this  church 
was  very  extenlive.  Within  about  two  years  from 
its  conltitution,  they  rendered  an  account  of  260 
members  to  the  AiTociation,  and  it  v/as  the  largefl 
church  in  Virginia  :  and  tv/o  years  after  that,  wheu 
fbveral  others  had  been  taken  off,  their  number  was 
196.  (n  1784,  Simeon  Walton  was  chofen  paftorj 
who  faithfully  difcharged  the  duties  of  that  office^ 
until  1795,  when  he  moved  weft  ward.  Simeon 
Walton,  Charles  Anderfon,  David  iillington,  William 
MuDins,  Robert  Fofter,  and  William  Ellis  were 
preachers  railed  in  this  church.  She  is  now  at  low 
ebb. 

POWHATAN 

Has  been  long  a  flouri/hing  church.  The  gofpel 
was  firft  carried  here  by  elders  Webber  and  Anthony, 
at  that  time,  very  young  preachers.  They  were  fol- 
io v/ed  by  Waller,  the  Craigs,  and  finally  by  David 
Tiniley,  who  agreed  to  fettle  among  them.  The 
Word  took  a  ranid  foread ;  many  v/ere  a' '    ''    ^  f  whom 

A  2/ 


202  HISTORY   OF    THE 

feveral  became  preachers.  Tinfley  was  very  labori- 
ous among  them  until  the  year  1774,  when  he  was 
clutched  by  the  iron  hand  of  perfecution,  and  immu- 
red in  Chefterlield  prifon.  The  forlorn  Hate  of  the 
•church,  through  his  abfence,  ftirred  up  the  fpirit  of 
John  Dupuy,  a  member,  who  commenced  first,  ex- 
liortf  r,  and  then  preacher ;  and  a  few  years  afterwards, 
when  left  by  I  in  (ley,  the  church  chofehimfor  their 
pallor.  Under  his  minillrations  the  church  was 
blefled  with  a  revival,  in  v/hich  there  were  large  ad- 
ditions ;  like  many  other  fifler  churches,  they  felj 
into  a  declenfion  in  the  time  of  the  war.  Soon  after 
the  war,  Mr.  Dupuy  moved  to  Kentucky.  The 
church  then  chofe  Mr.  George  Smith  for  their  paf- 
tor  J  who  was  a  popular  and  ufeful  preacher.  Un- 
der his  care  they  were  happy  and  united.  But  him 
they  alfo  loft  through  the  fertility  of  Kentucky  foil. 
He  moved  in  1804.  The  next  year  they  chofe  their 
prefent  paftor,  elder  Wooldridge.  Of  late  they 
have  but  few  additions.  Few  churches  have  raifed 
more  preachers  than  the  above.  Their  number  is  no 
lefs  than  14-,  viz.  John  and  James  Dupuy,  Edward 
Maxey,  George  Smith,  George  Stoval  Smith,  Lewis 
Chadoin,  B.  Watkins,  Noah  Lacy,  Thomas  Lafon, 
Ifaac  Lookado,  Jofiah  Gayle,  John  Wooldridge, 
"William  Rowsee,  and  Samuel  Roper. 

MUDDY  CREEK. 

The  gofpel  was  firft  carried  into  this  neighbour- 
hood by  Jeremiah  Walker,  Rane  Chaitain,  and 
others.  After  meeting  with  fome  oppofition,  it  fo 
far  prevailed,  as  to  bring  about  20  or  30  perfons  into 
the  liberty  of  the  fons  of  God.  With  thelc  materials 
a  church  was  built.  Having  no  ftated  paftor,  how- 
ever, they  did  not  go  on  fo  well  as  could  be  defined. 
They  dwindled,  until  about  1 784  elder  Samuel  Wood- 
fin,  their  prefent  paftor,  was  called  to  preach  for  them. 
Under  his  miniftry  they  foon  revived;  and  addition? 
were  made  from  time  to  time,  amounting  in  all  tg 


MI D D LE  Dl  S  TRI  C,T  A  S  so  C I ATIO  Jv".  203 

about  40.  They  have  had  fmall  additions  at  differ- 
ent times,  though  no  remarkable  revival.  For  fome 
time  back,  they  have,  like  many  other  churches, 
fuffered  a  wintry  feafon.  Richard  Stratton,  a  pious 
preacher,  was  raifed  here.  His  race  was  fhort.  He 
was  arreile^  by  death  at  an  early  period. 

SKINQUARTER 

Is  a  large,  refpectable  church,  of  long  (landing. 
Elder  William  Hickman  was  their  firft  paftor,  and 
was  alfo  the  father  of  the  church.  He  ferved  them 
about  6  years,  ^nd  then  moved  to  Kentucky.  Un- 
der his  care  they  enjoyed  fome  profperous  feafons. 
They  alfo  felt  the  bitternefs  of  fome  adverfc  fcenes. 
AJr.  Hickman  was  fucceeded  in  the  pailoral  office  by 
elder  John  Goode.  In  1785  they  were  iavoured 
with  a  revival,  which  continued  about  two  years. 
Many  perfons  during  that  happy  feafon  bowed  to  the 
divine  fceptre.  In  1790  they  were  bereft  by  death, 
of  their  beloved  paftor.  Mr.  Georgje  Smith,  and  other 
neighbouring  minifters  attended  them  ftatedly.  In 
1799,  elder  Charles  Forfee,  their  prefent  paftor,  was 
inftalled  in  that  office.  His  labours  were  bleiled  du- 
ring the  years  '99  and  iHoo.  As  many  as  70  or  80 
were  baptized  into  the  church.  After  this  revival, 
wading  through  various  difficulties,  from  apoilacies 
and  other  caufes,  the  church  at  length  fettled  down 
in  peace  and  happinefs.  God  again  vilited  them  ia 
1807,  with  a  fmall  revival. 

Befides  the  paflors  mentioned,  this  church  is  own- 
ed as  the  mother  of  feveral  other  preachers,  viz.  Jofiah 
Rucks,  James  Rucks,  Walthal  Robertfon,  Edmund 
Goode,  and  Wiiliamfon  II.  Fittman.  All  thefe  are 
iHll  living,  and  are  all  flill  m.embers  of  Skinquarter, 
except  Jofiah  Rucks  and  Walthai  Rpbertfon,  who 
hav^  moved  away. 


i;''Ji  IIISTORV  OV  Tilt  . 

TOMMAKAWK 

Has  paiTed  through  many  revolutions  as  to  preach- 
ers ;  but  by  prudence  and  caution  on  the  part  of  the 
active  private  members,  they  have  been  a  very  hap- 
py people.  F.lder  Jeremiah  Matcher  was  their  firft 
paftor;  whoferving  them  about  two  years,  moved  to 
BedforcJ.  They  then  chofe  elder  WifUam  Hickman, 
who  in  about  three  years  moved  to  Kentucky.  They 
were  then  ferved  by  elder  George  Smith  as  an  occasion- 
al paftor  for  about  15  or  16  years,  during  which  time 
they  had  not  only  calm  and  peaceable  tunes,  but  pre- 
cious revivals.  He  alfo  refigned  about  1 791 .1  hey  then 
chofe  Mr.  .lames  Rucks,  who  being  ordamed,  adled 
as  paftor  about  fix  years,  and  declined  through  fick- 
nefs.  They  then  chofe  their  prcfent  faithful  minif- 
ter.  'A  fmall  and  unprofperous  church,  called  Win- 
tercomack,  was  once  a  part  of  the  Middle  Diftri-ft 
alfo,  but  was  diflblved  a  few  years  pail. 

There  was  alio  once  a  flourifhing  church,  called 
Fine  '<  reek,  in  Fowhatan  county.  Mr.  Maxey  was 
their  firil  pallor.  He,  though  not  a  great,  was  a 
good  and  uleful  preacher.  In  the  midft  of  his  course 
he  was  arrefted  by  the  fmall  pox,  and  carried  to  an 
early  grave,  in  the  year  1781.  The  church  declined 
after  his  death,  until  in  1793  they  diflblved  their 
conftitution,  and  the  greater  part,  with  their  paftor, 
elder  Samuel  Woodhn,  fell  into  Muddy  Creek,  where 
Mr.  Woodiin  is  now  pallor. 

SPRING  CREEK. 

This  church  was  planted  chiefly  by  the  labours  of 
elder  Benjamin  Watkins,  their  prelent  faitliful  pafl:or. 
After  getting  asmcny  as  were  thought  neceflTary  for 
a  conlHtutioR,  they  were  organized  1790.  Mr. 
"Watkins  paflor. 

Fev/  churches  have  feen  more  pi  ofperity  than  this. 
For  fome  years  ^fter  their  organization  there  we/e 
fome  added  ever)  year.    Abju't  ^799  fomc  membe;? 


:,XlDT>l.Z  DISTRICT  ASSCClATIOfN.  Su5 

feeling  imprefHons  to  pray  for  a  revival,  prcpofed 
that  Hated  prayer  meetings  should  be  kept  up.  I  his 
was  acceded  to,  and  proved  very  efficacious.  Fail 
days  were  aifo  obferved,  and  were  thought  to  do 
much  good.  -The  revival  commenced,  and  continued 
about  two  years;  during  which  time,  more  than  200 
were  baptized.  Since  that  happy  period,  they  have 
paiTed  through  fome  a^icting  fcenes;yet  out  of  ail, 
God  has,  and  will,  deliver  them. 

They  have  another  Mel'ting  houfe  belides  Spring 
Cieek,  called  Bethel.  Here,  it  is  exi3ected,  will  be 
another  church  at  fome  future  day. 

The  following  pre.ichers  were  Ions  of  Spring  Creek. 
Prancis  Hancock,  Reuben  Short,  Jordan  Martin, 
and  Peter  M.  Carey.  Of  thefe,  the  tv/o  laft  are  itill 
members.  Mr.  H.  is  dead,  and  Short  has  moved  to 
Patrick,  where  he  is  ufeful. 

Mr.  Martin  is  ordained,  and  travels  and  preaches 
confiderabiy.  His  neighbours  fay,  he  preaches  aifo  by 
example. 

Mr  B.  Watkins,  their  prefent  paRor,  is  one  of  tlr: 
mod:  indefatigable  preachers  in  Virginia.  Thougii 
often  labouring  under  fevere  iniinnities  of  body,  with 
other  oh(l:acles,  he  flill  halts  not  at  dangers  or  diiii- 
culties  H  e  makes  long  preaching  journeys,  in  which 
he  every  day,  and  fometimes  gq  nights,  proclaims  his 
Mailier's  gofpel  in  its  fimplicity  and  power.  He  is 
indeed,  a  wife  workman,  and  diligent  labourer.  For 
more  than  20  years  he  has  kept  a  diary ;  a  custom 
productive  of  fo  many  beneiits,  that  it  is  fomewhat 
llrange  that  fo  fev/  have  fallen  into  it 

Here  the  two  fires  from  above  and  below  met; 
Chefteriigld  was  coniidered  as  an  arm  of  Nottoway, 
Dupuy's  of  Goochland. 

CHESTERFIELD. 

The  firfl  preachers  who  had  the  honour  of  preach- 
ing the  gofpel  within  the  bounds  of  this  church,  were 
V/illiam  Webber  a^nd  Jo.  Anthony.     For  this  they 


200  HISTORY   OF    THE 

were  counted  worthy  of  a  prifon.  Their  labour  was 
not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  When  they  firft  preached 
there  was  not  a  Baptift  in  the  county.  In  the  courfe 
of  a  few  months  E.  ('lay,  tne  pallor  of  this  church, 
having  obtained  a  hope,  was  baptized.  it  feems 
Mr.  Clay  had  heard  the  baptift  preachers  fome  years 
before,  up  in  Hahfax.  lie  had  heard,  and  was 
wounded  by  the  two-edged  fwordj  but  having  come 
out  horn  among  them,  his  wounds  were  meaiurably 
healed,  until  about  this  tJ!ne,  being  visited  by  an  ac- 
quaintance who  had  become  a  baptift,  his  converfa- 
tion  opened  his  wounds  afreih.  In  a  few  months 
they  were  effectually  and  radically  cured  by  the  balm 
of  Gilead. 

Mr.  Clay  commenced  labourer  in  the  Lord's  vine- 
yard icon  after  his  baptifm,  and  has  continued  there- 
in from  that  time,  faithfully  tefljfying  to  the  truths  of 
the  gofpel,  which  he  had  felt.  Being  tich  he  was 
very  attentive  to  the  preachers  who  were  imprifoned 
in  Cheflerfield.  With  fome  interruptions  he  has 
been  moderator  to  each  of  the  affjciations  of  which 
he  has  been  a  member.  His  labours  for  many  years 
have  been  confined  chiefly  within  his  own  and  the 
adjacent  congregations.  He  is  now  an  old  man,  be- 
ing 66  years  of  age^  and  will  doubtiefs,  ere  lon^,  re- 
ceive the  fruits  of  his  labour. 

SALEM 

Was  an  arm  of  Chefterfield  church.  Thomas 
Lafon,  the  prefent  paflor,  having  enterecj  upon  the 
miniflry,  and  being  thought  to  have  promifmg  gifts ; 
a  church  was  conflituted,  and  he  ordained  to  the  paf- 
toral  charge.  Under  his  miniflry  the  church  has  in- 
creafed  by  a  comfortable  revival,  in  which  59  were 
added. 

This  makes  five  baptifl  churches  already  mention- 
ed in  the  county  of  Cheflerfield.  And  m.ofl  of  them 
large  and  refpectable.  It  is  worthy  cf  remark,  that 
generally  the  bapcifl  cause  has  ilourilhed,  mofl  ekten- 


MIDDLE   DISTRICT  ASSOCIATION.  207 

fively  where  It  met  with  the  moft  fevere  oppofition  in 
the  offset.  In  C  heflerlield  jail,  feven  preachers  were 
confined  for  preaching,  viz.  William  Webber,  Jofeph 
Anthony,  ^^uguftine  t  ailin,  John  Weatherford,  John 
Tanner,  Jeremiah  Walker,  and  David  Tinfley.  Some 
were  whipped  by  individuals,  feveral  fined.  They  kept 
up  their  perfecution  after  other  counties  had  laid  it  aficie. 
They  have  now  in  the  county  more  than  500  in  com- 
munion Among  whom  are  four  magiilrates,  tv/o  ma- 
jors, and  iive  captains  of  militia « 


.v^^ 


205 


Ills  TORY    d^P    Tilt 


TABLE  OF  APPAOMTTOX  ASSOCI ATION*. 


I^'ames  of 
Cliarches. 


0  2 


By  wliam 


•'Fornier 

pastors. 

pastors. 

COuKlit.:. 


Lower  Fall- 

Kbenezer, 
Nt:w  Chapel, 
iirr.u.nton  Ri- 
vtr, 

Cabb  Creek, 

Afhcampj 
Jvocks, 

Appomattox, 

Sailor  Creek, 
Jvlountain 

Creek, 

Buckingham, 

Providence, 

Wreck  Ifland, 
Union, 

Slate  River, 
Sandy  Creek, 


179: 


XS04. 

1771 

1803 
I77i 

1773 
1781 
1788 


1771 
1774 

J784 
17S6I  4Z 

1805J  36 


50 
30 
18 
»S 
12 

35 

12 


78 

90 
60 

30O 
280 


29O 

5° 


3» 


Oba.  Echohc 

VV.  Dotfon. 
EJ.  Johns. 

J.  Jenkins. 

S.  Harris, 

H.  Lefter. 
S.  Plarris. 
S.  Harris  Si 
1.  Read. 

J.  Walker. 

T.  Crynits. 

C.  Clarke. 

S.  Harris  & 
J.  Read. 
T.  Hargate, 
R.  Chaftain. 
R,  Chaltain. 


S.  Harris  & 
J.  Read. 


C.  Cobb. 
£d.  Johns. 

j.  Jenkins. 

J.  Weather. 

ford. 
H.  Lelter. 

J.  M'Leroy' 

R.  Foiler. 
T.  Crynjes 
.^  H,  Leste; 

R.Chaftain. 

D.Patterfon. 

f 
R.Chaftain. 

R.Chaftain. 


J.  VVcr.tner 

tord. 
Ed.  Johns. 
Kd..Johng. 

R.  Dabbs. 

S.  Todd. 

none. 
P.Mathews 

J.  Saunders. 

A.  Watkins 

A.  Mil-Ier. 

R.C^llain. 


none& 

W.  Flowers 

J.  L.  Abra- 
ham. 
I.  Garret. 

D.  Ellington! J,  Scurrv. 


Campbell. 

do. 
do. 

Charlott", 


do; 

P.Edward 

do. 
do. 
do. 

Bucking- 

li;;ip. 

do. 
do. 
do, 

I      do,, 
do. 

Amclii, 


CHAPTER  XVIIl; 

History  of  the  Appo?nafio.v  Jfsociationj  including  the 
Sketches  of  Chiaxhes, 

It  has  already  been  fliown,  page  200,  that  from  the 
Middle  Diftrict  was  ftruck  oft'  two  new  AlTociations, 
called  Meherrin  and  Appomattox.  By  reference  to 
the  difterent  tables,  the  bounds  of  thefe  aflbciations 
may  be  tolerably  underftood.*  Belides  the  churches 
contained  in  the  Middle  Diftrid:,  feveral  from  Roanoke 
and  Portsmouth  fell  into  the  new  aflbciations. 

Of  the  Appomattox  we  purpoie  now  to  treat. 


*  Wo  had  not  the  minutes  deSgnating  the  bouads. 


APPOMATTOX  ASSOCIATION.  209 

Their  first  meeting  after  the  divifion  was  at  Walk- 
er's Church,  in  Prince  I. dwiird  county  Letters  and 
delegates  from  eleven  churches  were  received  *  This 
meeting  v©is  chiefly  employed  in  forming  a  conftitu- 
tion  and  rules  of  decorum 

The  conftitution  in  one  of  its  articles  is  rather 
lingular.  It  declares  that  the  moderator  fliali  not 
fpeak  to  any  fuhjed;  nor  any  perfon  be  chofen  to 
that  oflice  longer  than  two  feflions  fucceffively. 
The  defign  of  thefe  reftraints,  without  doubt,  was 
to  prevent  any  from  acquiring  too  much  influence. 
But  when  we  guard  agamft  one  pofTible  evil,  we 
ought  not  to  be  unmindful  of  another.  The  office 
of  moderator  does  not  appear,  in  its  nature,  to  afford 
prefumption  that  it  would  be  often  abufed  for  arbi- 
trary purpofes .  Therefore,  to  deprive  an  AfTociation 
of  tnc  counfel  and  iT^ill  of  one  of  her  mofl  intelHgent 
members,  to  guard  againft  fo  diflant  an  evil,  has  the 
appearance  of  excefUve  caution.  It  is  much  better 
to  give  the  pou-er,  and  watch  the  use  of  it. 

The  next  AfTociation  was  held  at  Afhcamp  church, 
in  Charlotte  county,  in  Odober,  /  805  A  quv  ry  re- 
fpedting  the  propriety  of  admitting  unbaptized  per- 
ions  to  communion,  was  introduced  at  this  feffion. 
The  queflion  was  anfwered  by  a  large  majority,  that 
none  but  perfons  baptized  upon  aprofeflion  of  faith, 
were  proper  communicants.  The  fubjedl;  of  open 
communion,  has  been  more  agitated  amoag  the  Bap- 
tifts  in  this  part  of  V' irginia,  than  in  any  other ;  ar- 
riling,  as  was  fupposcd,  from  the  high  opinion 
which  they  entertained  ot  the  piety  of  fome  other 
Chriftian  fedls,  in  the  adjacent  parts.  Some  refped- 
able  Baptifls  were  induced,  from  this  conli deration, 
to  think  favourably  of  a  mixed  communion,  it  was 
certainly  a  very  erroneous  mode  of  iorming  an  opi- 
nion.    If  open  communion  be  wrong  in  itself,  it 

*  It  does  not  appear  certainly  from  tht  minutes,  how  nnny  churches  were  i^ 
the  afibciation  at  tnh  timej  but  it  is  pn^bable  there  v.ere  tliirtcin. 


210  HISTORY    OF    THE 

cannot  be  made  right,  by  the  pracfrice  of  men,  how- 
ever exemplary  they  may  be,  in  other  refpedts. 

Their  proceedings,  from  the  last  mentioned  Aflb- 
ciation  until  cur  accounts  clofe,  appear  tp  have  been 
prudent  and  peaceable,  but  chiefly  of  a  local  nature. 

The  moderator's  chair  was  filled  alternately  by 
elders  Ra'^e  Chaftain  and  James  Saunder?.  Elder 
Bernard'}  odd  uniformly  adtrd  as  clerk. 

IJaving  given  a  brief  account  of  the.  proceedings 
cf  the  Allbciation,  we  fliall  nov/  proceed  to  give 
iliort  sketches  of  the  churches  of  which  flie  is  com- 
pofed  i  beginning  wjith 

LOWER  FALLING. 

This  has,  like  many  other  churches,  paiTed  through 
various  fcenes.  Since  Mr.  AVeatheriord  has  attend- 
ed them  they  enjoy  better  times  than  formerly.  The 
downfall  of  Obadiah  Echols  was  very  affecting  to  all 
the  churches  to  whom  he  'had  ever  miniilcred. 
This  church  participated  in  the  diftrels. 

EBENEZER. 

This  church  was  raifed  under  the  labours  of  Wil- 
liam Dotfon.  Dotfon  was  a  man  of  active  zeal,  but 
rather  deftitute  of  prudence  :  he  did  much  good;  but 
he  alfo  did  much  harm.  For  many  years  Rev. 
Charles  Cobb  was  paflor  of  this  church.  He  had 
been  an  elder  in  a  Prefbyterian  congregation  during 
feveral  years  of  the  early  part  of  his  life.  It  was  not 
until  he  was  advanced  in  age,  that  he  afcended  the 
jiefk.  This  prevented  his  ever  making  confiderable 
attainments  in  minifterial  talents,  fiowever  fmall 
his  ability  in  the  pulpit,  he  did  much  good.  His 
life  was  exemplary;  and  a  hint  from  fuch  a  man  is 
more  convincing  than  laboured  difcourfes  from  learn- 
ed doctors,  who  neither  feel  nor  practife  what  they 
fay.  After  a  life  of  ufefulnefs,  Mr.  Cobb  fell  afleep. 
Since  his  death.  Rev.  Edmund  JohnS  attends  them 
ilatedly  and  ufefully. 


ArPOMATTOX   ASSOCIATION,  211 

NEW  CHAPEL. 

The  information  refpeding  this  church  has  been 
fmall.  It  'appears  liowever  from  fuch  accounts  as 
can  be  gathered,  to  be  a  church  of  not  many  years' 
ilanding.  Mr.  Johns,  their  minifler,  though  regu^ 
larin  his  duties  about  home,  travi  Is  but  little  to  pro- 
pagate the  gofpcl,  and  is  tiierefore  not  cxtenfively 
known.  The  church  under  his  care  is  f^id  to  enjoy 
peace  and  Iiarmony. 

Lower  Falling  aad  New  Chapel  were  members  of 
the  Roanoke  Afibciation  from  the  time  of  the  confti- 
tuion  until  1806.  Finding  it  more  convenient,  they 
had  thenifelves  difmiffed  from  the  Roanoke,  and.  May 
1805,  joined  the  Appomattox. 

STAUNTON  RiVER. 

There  had  been  fome  few  profefTors  of  religion  in 
this  neighbouraood  for  many  years.  But  until  fome 
little  time  previous  to  the  conititution  of  the  church, 
the  bulk  of  the  people  were  unufually  immoral  and 
wicked.  Rev.  John -.Jenkins  commenced  ftated 
preacher  among  them,  aided  by  an  invifible  hand. 
They  received  the  word  of  God  which  they  heard  of 
him,  not  as  the  word  of  man,  but  as  (it  is  iw  truth) 
x\\Q  word  of  God.  A  reformation  of  manners  enfued. 
Some  enlifted  under  the  gofpel  banners:  in  1804  a 
conliderable  church  was  conftituted.  They  procu- 
red the  flated  fervices  of  Rev.  Richard  Dabbs ;  and 
under  his  miniftry  they  continue  to  be  a  flourifhing 
church.  Some  of  the  members  Jive  in  Halifax. 
From  the  time  of  her  firft  conftitution,  until  IH07, 
file  v/as  a  member  of  Roanoke;  at  that  time,  (he  was 
difmifled  to  join  Appomattox. 

CURB  CREEK,  * 

Now  under  the  paftoral  care  of  Rev.  Bernard 
Todd,  is  a  church  of  long  (landing.  Early  after  the 
rife  of  the  Baptifts,  there  v/ere  fome  in  this  neigh- 


212  HISTORY    OF    THE 

bourhood  who  embraced  religion.  They  became 
futiiciently  numerous  in  1771,  to  form  an  independ- 
ent church.  They  were,  a  few  years  after  the  confti- 
tution,  placed  under  the  care  of  Micajah  Harris,  viz. 
anno  ^J"]^*  Mr.  Harris  refigning  on  account  of  dif- 
ference of  fentmient.  Rev.  John  Weatherford  be- 
came their  paftor.  Under  his  miniftry  they  profper^ 
ed  moderately.  Several  refped:able  and  ulefui  men 
were  joined;  and  among  them  fome  preachers.  Mr. 
Todd,  their  prelcnt  paftor,  is  a  man  of  education;  and 
at  the  time  of  his  becoming  a  Baptiil:  was  a  man  of 
high  flanding  in  civil  fociety.  He  had  for  feverai 
years  reprefented  the  pounty  as  a  delegate  in  the  af- 
feinbly ;  and  was  an^ong  the  moll  adive  and  ufe- 
ful  magillrates  in  the  cou  ty.  But  ali  this  he  count- 
ed as  drofs,  that  he  might  win  Chrift  Jeius,  and  be 
found  in  him.  He  afcended  the  pulpit  at  a  late  pe- 
riod. He  is  neverthelefs  a  found  and  ufeful  preach- 
er.    Under  his  miniltry  the  church  has  flouriihed, 

ASH  CAMP 

Is  a  young  but  profperous  church.  It  was  raifed 
under  the  minillerial  labours  of  Rev.  Henry  Lefter, 
who  was  their  pallor  until  1808.  He  then  moved 
to  the  wellern  countiy.  Since  which  time  they  have 
the  fervicesof  Rev.  Richard  Dabbs.  There  are  fome 
very  refpcd;able  characters  members  of  this  congre- 
gation. 

Mr.  Lefter  embraced  religion,  at  a  very  early  peri- 
od of  the  rise  of  the  Baptifts,  and  when  about  1 8 
years  of  age.  -He  loon  began  to  preach  and  was  ac- 
ceptable as  a  young  preacher.  Marrying  however 
when  quite  young,  his  minifterial  labours  were  fome- 
what  curtailed.  He  continued  llill  to  blow  the  gof- 
pel  trumpet,  but  not  to  fuch  extent  as  fome  who  were 
lefs  entangled  with  the  affairs  of  this  life.  He  is 
now  (1809)  about  07  years  of  age,  of  good  conftitu- 
tion,  6cc.     In  point  of  talents  as  a  preacher,  Mr. 


APPOMATTOX    ASSOCIATION.  213 

Lefter  may  be  conlidered  as  occupying  a  refpedtable 
grade. 

Rev.  Richard  Dibbs  has  been  a  member  of  Aih- 
camp,  ever  fince  its  conftitution.    Fie  had  been  bap- 
tized for  feverai  years   before  he  began  to  preru^ii. 
Since  he  commenced,   few  perfons  have  rilen  i  to 
notice  as  rapidly  as  he.      And  at  prefent,  in  point  of 
popularity  as    a    preacher,  certainly    none  in  these 
parts  farpafs  him,    if  any  can  be  faid  to  equal  him. 
He  is,  furely,  the  moft  indefatigable  of  preachers. 
Be  travels  almofl:  incelTantly ;  and  is  thoaglit  by  fome 
of  his  intimate  friends  for  fome  years  pail->  to  have 
preached  more  fsrmons  than  there  are  days  in  the 
year,      lie  does  not  preach  in  vain.     There  are  feals 
to  his  miniftry  wherever  he  goes.    His  talents  do  not 
conliil  in  deep  investigat  on  or  clofe  reafoning;   not 
in  full  and  fair  explanations  of  mysterious  texts  of 
fcripture,  or  of  abstruse  points'  of  divinity.     He  fays 
clever  things,  and  he  fays  them  in  a  winning  manner. 
Belides,  his  voice  is  harmonious,  his  perion  agr?e- 
a.ble ;  and  his  manners,  both  in  and  out  of  the  pulpit, 
affectionate  and  plealing.     He  fmgs  well,  and  is  fond 
of  it.     His  exhortations    are    warm   and    pathetic. 
With  all  thefe  advantages,  it  would  not  indeed  be 
strange  if  Mr.  Dabbs's  talents  were  fomewhat  over- 
rated by  many.      Be  that  as  it  m^y.     Unquestiona- 
bly fuch  gifts  as  he  really  polTeffes,  he  improves  tq 
the  greatest  poffible  advantage :  and  if  he  fliouW  not 
become  biaffed  by  excefTive  popularity,  nor  be  weary 
in  well  doing,  he  will  reap  a  plenteous  harvest,  in 
that  day. 

ROCKS 

Is  among  the  oldest  churches  in  this  Aflbciation, 
The  gofpel  was  first  brought  here  by  Samuel  Harrifs, 
in  1 771,  v/ho  in  fome  lliort  time  baptized  Robert 
Jennings  a  presbyterian,  a  man  of  refped:able  stand- 
ing, and  who  was  for  many  years  afterwards  an  or- 
nament in  the  church.    Other  preachers  watered  the 


21  i.  HISTORY  or  the 

feed  fo^vn  by  Mr.  Harrifs;  and  about  the  year  1772, 
a  church  was  constituted,  which  fell  under  the  pas- 
toral care  of  William  .lohnfon.  He  was  fucceeded 
in  a  few  years  by  one  Mr.  John  M*Leroy,  an  IrilL- 
man,  who  turned  out  badly,  and  then  moved  to 
Georgia.  In  1790,  elder  John  Weatherford  became 
their  pastor,  and  continued  for  fevcral  years;  and  he 
alfo  removed.  Of  late  years  they  have  had  elder  P. 
Mathews  for  pastor.* 

APPOMATTOX. 

This  .i?  an  old  church.  When  .first  constituted, 
they  were  curfed  with  the  fervices  of  a  wretched 
traitor  to  the  caufe.  .  One  M'Leroy,  a  foreigner, 
having  fpecious  talents  as  a  preacher,  became  th^ir 
pastor.  After  fome  years  of  confufion  and  distrefs, 
he  left  them  and  moved  to  Georgia,  having  been 
pre vioufly  excommunicated.  They  then  called  their 
prcfent  pastor.  Rev.  James  Saunders.  Under  his 
ministry,  they  have  been  a  flouriihing  people.  Of  late 
years,  however,  they  have  palled  through  very  la- 
mentable fcenes. 

SAILOR  CREEK 

Is  a  large  and  refpe^table  church.  They  have,  for 
many  years,  been  under  the  ministerial  attention  of 
Kev,  Abner  Watkins.  He  has  grown  old  in  the 
vineyard,  but  he  has  not  grown  weary.  God  Iiac 
been  with  him  here ;  and  doubtlefs  if  he  is  faithful 
until  death,  he  will  receive  a  crown  of  life.  If  the 
temper  of  a  whole  people  may  be  understood  from 
that  of  a  few,  few  ministers  are  more  beloved  by 
their  congregation,  than  is  Mr.  Watkins.  As  a 
preacher  he  is  conlidered  plain  and  pra(flical ;  not 
aiming    to    rise    very    high,    nor    ever   falling  very 

*  This  account  was  taken  from  an  old  Tnanufcript  of  Mr.  John 
Williams.  From  fome  circumstances  it  is  doubtful,  whether  there 
were  not  two  churches  nearly  of  the  faitte  name,  one  in  Charlotte 
and  the  other  in  Prince  Edward. 


APPOMATTOX  ASSOCIATION.  21.3 

low.  In  the  vicinity  of  this  church  was  once  a 
church  called  Liberty,  which  fiourilhed  for.  fome 
years,  and  then  declining,  was  diffolved,  the  members 
failing  chiefly  into  Sailor  Creek. 

Robert  Folter,  the  firft  paflor  of  Sailor  Creek,  was 
brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  under  the 
minillry  of  Jeremiah  Walker,  was  baptized  June 
1769,  and  began  to  preach  the  following  year.  He 
W^s  not  confidered  a  preacher  of  talents,  but  was  re- 
fped.ed  as  a  good  man  and  faithful  to  his  trufl, 

MOUNTAIN  CREEK. 

This  church  was  raifed  through  the  faithful  and 
indefitigable  labours  of  Rev.  Thomas  Crymes.  He 
attended  them  as  minifter  for  fome  time.  When  he 
was  no  longer  to  be  had.  they  were  miniflered  to  by 
iVlr.  Lefter.  lender  his  miniftry  they  were  favoured 
from  above.  The  church  grew.  When  Mr.  Lefler 
removed  they  obtained  the  attendance  of  elder  Armi- 
flead  Miller,  who  ftill  difcharges  the  duties  of  that 
facred  office.  About  the  year  lygi  there  were,  in 
this  church,  78  members :  the  prefent  number  has 
not  been  received. 

BUCKINGHAM, 

A  mother  church,  in  the  county  of  the  fame  name, 
is  one  of  the  largeft  and  moil  flourifliing  churches  in 
the  Appomattox  AlTociation.  The  firft  fuccelsful 
preacher  in  tliefe  parts,  was  Chriftopher  Clarke.  It 
was  not  long  before  Mr.  Chastain,  their  prefent 
paftor,  commenced  preacher.  He  has  been  their  pas- 
tor, their  only  one,  from  the  beginning.  Surely  no 
people  need  ask  to  be  more  blelled  in  a  paftor.  Un- 
der him  the  church  has  prospered  almoll  uniforml)''. 
If  they  have  had  their  wintry  ftate,  from  which  none 
are  exempt  i  yet  vender  the  prudent  management  of 
this  venerable  paftor,  they  have  not  paffed  through 
fuch  severe  confiids  as  fome  other  churches.  Mr. 
Cfiaftain  is  now  an  old  rhan,  and   ripe  for  the  crown 


216  HISTORY    OF    TIIL 

that  awaits  him.     As  a  preacher  he  is  held  in  high 
eftimation  for  Ibundness,  fimplicity,  and  ufefuinefs. 

PROVIDENCE 

» 

Is  not  a  very  profperous  church  at  prefent,  having 
been  for  fome  yenrs  without  a  pallor.  I  hey  have 
bat  few  male  members;  fome  of  whom,  however, 
are  iifeful  men. 

David  Patterfon,  their  firft  paftor,  was  a  part  of 
the  firfl:  fruits  of  the  gofpel  in  thefe  parts.  After  his 
converfion  he  quickly  commenced  preacher,  and  was 
diiliinguifhed  for  his  fleady  zeal  and  exemplary  piety. 
Being  a  man  of  independent  property,  he  received  no 
compenfation  for  his  minifterial  labours ;  which  by  the 
bye,  is  very  much  the  cafe,  either  voluntarily  or  in* 
voluntarily,  with  a  large  proportion  of  the  Baptifl 
preachers  in  Virginia. 

WRECK  ISLAND 

Has  for  her  minifter  Rev.  William  Flowers,  a 
preacher  of  acceptable  gifts.  They  are  a  church  of 
good  Handing,  as  far  as  information  has  been  received. 
The  church  was  firll  conftitued,  at  a  place  called  Bent 
Creek,  anno  j  'J']^,  but  neglecting  discipline  they  de- 
clined until  1784.  They  were  reconflituted  at  the 
place  called  Wreck  Illand  or  Rack  illand.  Mr. 
Chaftain  then  attended  them  flatedly,  and  they  prof- 
pered  under  his  care.  He  was  fucceeded  by  William 
Johnfon,  and  he  by  James  Saunders,  as  a  vilitor.  Mr, 
Flowers,  their  prefent  paftor,  was  a  labourer  in  the 
church  for  fome  time  before  he  was  appointed  paftor. 
Since  his  appointment,  he  has  condudted  himfelf  fo 
prudently  as  to  leave  them  no  grounds  to  regret  tlieir 
choice.  James  Dofs  was  also  for  many  years  an  or- 
dained preacher  in  this  church. 

UNION. 

This  church,  planted  by  the  fuceefsful  labours  of 
Rev.  Rane  Chastam,  has  for  fome  years  been  under 


APPOMATTOX  ASSOCIATION,  217 

the  paftoral  etire  of  Rev.  Jacob  Abraham.  With 
fome  afflictions  they  have  alfo  had  fome  favourable 
feafons.  At  prefent  they  are  a  united  and  happy 
people. 

Jacob  Levi  Abraham,  the  minifter  of  this  church, 
was  a  native  of  the  county  of  King  William,  and  of 
Jewish  parentage.  He  may  be  confidered  as  a  rare 
inilance  of  the  converfion  of  a  Jew.  Mr.  Abraham 
quotes  fcripture  with  great  readinefs,  but  fome  think 
that  he  fliovvs  fomething  of  the  Jew,  flill,  in  his 
preaching,  by  leaning  more  to  the  old  teftament  in 
his  quotations.  Conffdering  that  he  had  but  very 
fmall  opportunities  in  point  ©f  education,  he  cer- 
tainly poiieiTes  gifts  of  no  inconfiderable  grade. 

SLATE  RIVER 

Is  a  fmall  church  in  Buckingham  county.  We 
have  not  received  any  remarkable  particulars  refpecft- 
ing  them.  Their  pail:or,  Mr.  Ifaac  Garret,  has  the 
reputation  of  a  faithful  labourer,  who  mainly  def.gns 
the  advancement  of  Zion's  profperity. 

SANDY  CREEK 

Is  a  large  church  in  Amelia  county.  They  were 
formerly  under  the  watchful  care  of  David  hllington. 
Aftei  he  moved  fouthward  they  procured  the  ferviccy 
of  Rev.  John  Scurry.  Under  his  miniftry,  tiiey 
have  been  doing  well.  Mr.  Scurry  has  the  reputa:- 
tion  of  being  an  able  minifter  of  the  new  testament. 
God  has  hitherto  flood  by  him,  and  he  has  only  to 
lean  upon  his  omnipotent  arm  to  the  end,  when  God 
will  not  forget  his  patience  of  hope.  In  this  church 
once  lived  John  Pollard,  a  preacher  of  very  coniider- 
able  talents.  In  the  early  part  of  his  ministry  he 
was  very  popular,  and  apparently  very  ufeful;  bat  buf- 
fering his  brains  to  be  addled  by  iome  unfortunate 

C  2 


218  HISTORY    OF    Till: 

bias,  he  fell  into  the  dodrlneof  hell-redemption,  or 
the  non-eternity  of  future  punifliinent.  He  has 
fince  dragged  on,  rather  a  nuifance,  in  the  religious 
world..  He  was  fuppofed  to  have  been  fpoiled  by 
being  too  much  carefred. 

•='  Oh  popular  applaufe  J  what  heart  of  man 
"  la  proof  against  thy  fweet  feducing  charms." 


MEIIERRIN    ASSOCIATION. 
TABLE  OF  THE  MEHERRIN  ASSOCIATION. 


219 


05! 

0  s 

Xaincs  of 

a  o 

C  a- 

;i   2 

By  whom 

Former 

Present 

Churches. 

~*  ^ 
3    " 

• 

S 
3 

planted. 

pastors. 

pastors. 

Counlie. 

5andy_ 

Char- 

Creek 

1785 

53 

70 

f.  Williams 

J.  Williams 

W.Richards 

lotte 

Allen's 

i.  Williams 

Meck- 

Creek 

T701 

77 

48 

&  W.  Creath 

W.  Creath 

R.  Dabbs 

lenburr 

Blueftone 

1772 

16  J115 

J.  Walker 

J.  Marfhall 

J.Williams 

W.Richards 

do 

Maloane's 

or  Geneto 

1773!  4-0 

39    J.Walker 

J.  King 

W.  Creath 

do 

Wilibn's 

'799'   14      54 

VV.  Creath 

W.  Creath 

W.  Creath 

do 

Meh«irrin 

177X 

X08      21 

J.  Walker 

J    Williams 

J.  Shelburne 

Lunen- 

Reedy 

#' 

burg 

Creek 

1770 

36 

no 

J.  Walker 

J.  Shelburne 

J.  Shelburne 

do 

Cedar 

Creek 

1779 

55 

J.  Walke. 

S.  Jones 

none 

do 

TuiTckiah 

1777 

25 

70 

J.  Walker 

r.  Crymes 

VV   Ellis 

do 

Flat  Rock 

i8o5:  69 

59 

J.  Shclbiune 

J.  Shelburne 

J.  Shelburne 

do 

Ctitbanks 

1789^  19 
1 

36 

J.  Walker 

J.Lee 

P.  Wynn 

Dinwid 

die 

Harper's 

1773    20 

30 

&S.HarrIfs 

P.  Wynn   . 

P.  Wynn 

do 

James's 

26 

W.  Creath 

W.  Creath 

Brunf- 

wick 

Reedy 

Creek 

1776 

57 

Z.Thqmfon 

Z.  Thomfon 

W.  Doffey 

do 

Fountain's 

Greens- 

Creek 

1787 

160 

Z.  Thorn  fon 

W.  Garner 

ville 

Zion 

1806 

30 

30 

W.  Creath 

W.  Creath 

W.  Creath 

do 

CH^iPTER  XIX. 

lUsiory  of  the  Meherrin  Afiocialion,  inchiding  the 
Sketches  of  Churches, 

This  Aflbciation  was  coiiflituted  in  the  year  I804, 
fee  page  200.  Od:ober,  I804,  the  churches  deiigna- 
ted  to  compose  the  Meherrin  Affociation,  afTenibled 
by  their  representatives  at  Ebenezer  meeting  house, 
Mecklenburg  coanty,  in  a  Convention,  for  the  pur- 
pofc  of  forming  a  Conftitution  and  rules  of  decorum. 
Twelve  churches  fent  deputies.  The  conrLitution 
which  they  formed,  is  fomewhat  more  energetic  than 
is  usually  avowed  by  aflbciations.  By  one  article,  the 
affociation  can  withdraw  from  a  church  which  is  n^ 


220  IIISTOIIY   OF    THE 

in  orderly  (landing  ;  which  is  only  a  foft  word  used 
for  exclude  or  excommunicate.  For  it  unqueflionably 
amounts  to  the  fame  thing;  as  is  plain  from  this 
circumstance:  a  church  thus  ejected  or  withdrawn 
from  by  the  aifociation,  is  not  admitted  to  the  com- 
munion of  the  remaining  churches.  All  things  then, 
fairly  confidered,  it  cannot  be  prudently  denied  but 
that  aflbciations  ought  to  poffefs  the  power  of  infped:- 
ing  both  the  principles  and  practices  of  churches 
within  their  connexion.  There  is  no  better  prool  of 
the  neceffity  of  this  power,  than  the  pradtice  of  the 
aifociations.  Moft  of  whom,  if  not  all,  have  at  times 
found  it  neceffary  to  f^fort  to  this  mcafure,  in  order 
to  prefer ve  uniformity. 

The  next  feffion  was  at  Bethel  meeting  houfe,  in. 
Mecklenburg  county,  in  Augufl,  1805.  At  this 
meeting,  they  agreed  to  adopt  the  abftradl  of  princi- 
ples, fet  forth  by  the  Roanoke  aifociation,  fome 
years  before.  This  is,  in  fubflance,  the  fame  as  the 
Baptift  confeffion  of  faith.  To  exhibit  fomethmg 
of  this  fort,  as  a  fpecimen  of  their  prmciples,  is  a 
proof  of  wisdom  in  a  religious  alTembiy.  To  wifh 
to  give  it  the  authority  of  holy  writ,  or  to  afcribe  to 
it  any  thing  like  infallibility,  is  the  abfurdeft  folly 
and  fuperftition. 

This  aifociation  has  continued  to  meet  and  tranf- 
a6l  bufinefs  in  a  prudent  and  judicious  manner,  until 
the  prefent  time.  Nothing  of  a  general  nature,  not 
noticed  elfewhere,  has  been  agitated,  fmce  the  lafl 
mentioned  feffion  ;  except  that  they  have  joined  the 
General  Meeting  of  Correfpondence.  We  {hall  now 
proceed  to  treat  of  the  churches;  beginning  with 

SANDY  CREEK. 

This  is  in  the  lower  end  of  Charlotte,  and  is  a 
Baptifl  church  of  happy  ffanding.  They  were  taken 
off  from  the  Meherrin,  in  the  fall  of  iyl^^  Rev. 
John  Williams  being  in  their  bounds,  bectime  a  mem- 
ber and  their  paflor.  So  he  continned  until  his  death. 


MElir^ilUIN   ASSOCIATION.  221 

in  179::.  After  this  forrowful  event,  S;indy  Creek 
\va?  for  a  long  time  without  any  dated  niiniflry. 
But  (to  tiheir  praife  be  it  faidj  they  kept  up  regular 
meetings,  and  prelerved  order  and  difcipUne.  At 
moil  of  their  meetings,  the  queftion  which  feemed  to 
occupy  their  attention  was:  How  (hall  we  preferve 
true  rjhgionunde filed  amongil  us?  howHiali  we  ad- 
vance its  interert?  It  feemed  to  he  the  general 
opinion,  that  a  faithful  preacher  would  be  the  moft 
likely  to  efreCl  their  objecJit.  Accordingly,  God  di- 
rected their  attention  to  elder  William  Richards,  then 
paftoroi  Blueftone,  and  who  lived  about  twelve  miles 
from  their  meeting  houfe.  On  thu  20th  of  Oc'tober, 
1798,  eider  Richards  accepted  their  call;  and  lias 
been  their  ftated  miniiler  ever  lince.  UMer  his  care 
they  have  been  a  lively  and  thriving  church.  Spring, 
1802,  a  work  of  grace  commenced,  and  cor;tinued 
about  eighteen  months;  durmg  which  time,  about 
iixty  perfons  were  received  and  baptized.  Four 
preachers  have  been  raifed  in  this  church,  Cmce  elder 
JRichards  had  the  care  of  them,  viz.  John  Afhwcrth, 
v/ho  with  feveral  private  members,  moved  to  the 
county  of  Franklin,  and  there  became  a  feparate 
church,  under  the  name  of  Pig  River ^  Mr  Afli- 
worth,  pa(l:or :  which  church  is  a  memiber  of 
Strawberry  AHociation  :  Robert  Portwood,  who  has 
also  moved  away;  David  M*Cargo,  and  George  Pet- 
ty, who  are  now  ordained  preachers,  refiding  in  the 
church. 

ALLEN'S  CREEK. 

The  gofpel  w^as  carwed  here,  about  1770;  and 
many  perfons  embraced  the  truth,  under  the  preach- 
ing of  Mr.  John  Williams.  They  were  united  and 
happy,  until  Mr.  Vyilhams,  in  1790,  moved  away. 
Being  left  deftitute  of  minifterial  inftrudtion,  and 
having  a  confiderable  number  of  black  people  in 
their  fociety,  of  whom  there  were  feme  preachers 
of  talents  ;   they  commenced  the  adminiftration  of 


lilSTORV   OF    Tlli. 


the  ordinances,  without  ordination.  They  were  per- 
lecuted  by  one  part  of  the  community,  and  proted:ed 
by  others,  equaliy  refpedable.  I'hey  increafed  ra- 
pidly J  fo  that,  in  a  few  years,  more  than  one  hun- 
dred Blacks  were  baptized  by  them.  Thefe  branch- 
ed out  into  different  companies,  or  churches  if  they 
may  be  fo  called.  When  Mr.  Williams  returned  to 
the  parts,  he  had  no  little  difficulty  in  settling  them 
into  order.  Many  refuled  to  give  up  their  inde- 
pendent flate  ',  but  the  mofl:  orderly  joined  Mr.  Wil- 
liams :  and  he  leaving  it  to  the  choice  of  thofe  who 
had  been  baptized  by  the  Blacks,  to  be  rebaptized  or 
not,  moil  chofe  to  be  rebaptized.  Their  affiiirs 
went  on,  not  very  well,  until  the  year  1790,  Mr. 
^Villiam  Cfeath,  then  a  young  and  active  minister, 
recommenced  the  peaching  of  the  gofpel  among  the 
people  of  this  vicinity.  God  owned  his  labour.  A 
goodly  number  were  baptized,  and  constituted  into 
an  independent  church,  1791.  Mr.  Creath  was  una- 
nimously chosen  pastor.  Which  office  he  accepted 
and  difcharged  the  duties  of,  for  ten  or  twelve  years; 
when,  moving  out  of  the  bounds,  he  refigned  his 
charge.  Since  which  they  have  had  no  regular  paf- 
tor  ;  but  at  prefent  are  fupplied  with  stated  preaching 
by  Mr.  Richard  Dabbs,  whose  m initiations  have 
been  very  fuccefbful. 

BLUESTONE. 

It  feems  that  the  gofpel  was  firll  carried  into  the 
neighbourhood  of  Blueftone,  by  William  Murphy 
and  Philip  Mulkey,  about  I706.  Their  labours 
were  very  fuccefsful;  and  1758  or  1759>  they  were 
fufficientiy  numerous  to  exercife  the  rights  of  a 
church.  There  were  feveral  white  members,  be- 
lides  a  large  number  of  Blacks,  belonging  chiefiy  to 
the  large  eftate  of  Colonel  Bird,  in  that  neighbour- 
hood Many  of  thefe  poor  Haves  became  bright 
and  fhining  chriftians.  The  breaking  up  of  Bird's 
quarters,  fcattered  thefe  Blacks  into  various  parts. 


MEirER^IN  ASSOCIATION,  2,:o 

It  did  not  rob  them  of  their  religion.  It  io  l^iid,  that 
through  their  labours  in  the  different  neiglibourhoods 
into  which  they  fell,  many  perfons  were  brought  to 
the  knowledge  of  the  truth ;  and  fonie  of  theai  ptr- 
foQS  of'-:diftindlion.  The  remains  of  this  church 
continued  in  a  dwindled  llate,  until  the  gofpel  was 
preiached  in  the  neighbourhood  of  VIeherrin.  They 
then  revived;  and  others  being  added,  and*  a  preach- 
er,' Mr.  John  Viariliall,  being  raifed  up;  they  were 
conftituted,  December,  1772. 

Biuellone  vv^as  chieHy  taken  off  from  Meherrin;  but 
is  at  prefent  much  larger  and  more  flourilhing  than  the 
mother  church.  When  firfh  conilituted,  elder  John 
MarflTall  was  inllalled  as  paftor,  but  he  leaving  them 
about  the  year  '86  or  '87  they  obtained  the  ilated  at- 
tendance of  Mr.  John  Williams,  who  fupplied  'them 
until  1794,  when  elder  Richards,  their  prefent  pallor, 
moved  from  North  Carolina  into  their  bounds.  He 
was  then  chofen  to  go  in  and  out  before  them,  and 
has  fo  continued  to  this  day.  Elder  Richards,  in  his 
manufcriptsfurni(hed  us,  itates  that  the  cold  and  lan^ 
guid  flate  of  this  church  was  cause  of  great  grief  to 
his  foul ;  and  that  he  often  fought  the  Lord  for  a 
bleffing.  Accordingly,  in  the  year  1799  the  heaven- 
ly work  began,  and  continued  for  two  or  three  years. 
More  than  100  members  v/ere  baptized.  Although 
iince  that  time  they  have  mourned  under  their  lean- 
ness, yet,  order  and  love  have  moftly  prevailed;  and 
not  many  of  their  nevv^  members  have  viiibly  apofta- 
tized. 

Elder  Richards  pailor  of  Biueftone,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Effex  county;  and  ©f  genteel  connexions. 
He  profefled  religion,  and  was  baptized  when  quite 
young.  His  reiati^  'ns  being  greatly  oppofed  to  it, 
caufod  him  many  fevere  trials  atjfirst;  but  he  finally 
removed  their  oppoiition  by  his  corredl  deportment. 
When  he  firft  commenced  preacher,  his  gifts  were 
rather  unpromifing.  By  flow  degrees,  however,  he 
improved   his  talents;  until   he  nov/   ranks  among 


224  HISTORY   OF    THE 

preachers  of  diftincftion.  AW  forts  of  perfons,  in  his 
own  parts,  are  fond  to  attend  his  miniilry.  For  if 
there  are  fome  persons  vvho  do  not  think  hirn  the 
bell:  of  preachers;  thert  are  certainly  none,  but  what 
admit  him  to  be  the  heft  of  men.  He  has  a(5ted  as 
moderator  to  the  Meherrin  Aflbciation,  for  feveral 
years;  and  fills  the  pofl  with  great  propriety. 

MALOAN's  ot  GENETO. 

This  church  was  compofed  of  members  partly 
from  Nottoway  and  partly  from  Meherrin  church. 
Elder  E.  B-aker  was  their  iirft  pador;  who  foon  left 
them,  and  travelled  off.  Then  elder  King  took  the 
care.  During  his  refidence  among  them  profperity 
attended  them  ;  but,  to  their  great  mortification,  he 
left  them,  and  moved  to  Henry  county.  Elder  Ba- 
laam Izzel  then  preached  for  them  {tatedly,  until  he 
moved.  Since  his  departure,  they  have  been  bleffed 
with  the  ftated  minillry  of  Rev.  ^Villip.m  Creath. 
Nothing  very  remarkable  has  occurred  among  them. 
^J'heir  prefent  number  is  almofl  the  fame  as  when  they 
were  firil:  conllituted. 

WILSON'?. 

This  church  was  planted  by  the  labour  of  elder 
William  Creath,  while  he  was  paftor  of  Allen's 
Creek.  At  hrll  they  were  fmall,  but  in  1802  God 
fent  them  a  time  of  refrefhing;  when  about  forty 
were  baptized.  Since  then,  there  have  been  deaths, 
removals,  and  exciuiions  fufncient  to  counterbalance 
their  additions:  fo  that  their  number  at  prefent  is  on- 
ly 54.  Although  they -have  not,  for  fome  years,  been 
blefled  with  a  revival,  yet  under  the  care  of  their  ac- 
tive and  laborious  paftor,  they  enjoy  peace,  love,  and 
good  order. 

Elder  Creath  is  a  man  of  flrong  m.ind,  and  deep 
refearch,  in  matters  of  divinity :  and  was  his  manner 
equal  to  his  matter,  he  would  be  among  the  greatell: 
of  preachers.     He  is  thought  by  fome  to  be  too  fond 


MEHERRIN  AS„SOCIATION.  225 

of  polemic  points;  Co  as  to  lefTcn  his  ufcfulne(^> 
by  exciting  unnecelTary  prejudices  One  thing  is 
certain;  that  in  lubjetts  ofdilpute,  there  is  a  time  to 
fpeak  and  a  time  to  be  filent  :  and  when  we  fpeak 
unfeafonably,  and  efpecially  if  it  fliould  be  intemper- 
ately  alfo;  we  damage  the  very  caufe  we  profefs  to 
efpoufe.  But  with  this,  if  this  be  fo  ;  elder  Creath 
is  a  very  uleful  man.  He  feems  willing  to  fpend 
arid  be  fpent  for  the  honour  of  hh  Mafler. 

MEH£RRIN, 

As  early  as  the  year  1757  or  1758,  Mr.  Dutton 
tane,  a  preacher  fi'om  Pittfylvania,  preached  occa- 
fionally  among  the  people  of  this  neighbourhood. 
Some  impreffions  were  made;  but  the  leading  men 
in  the  neighbourhood  oppofed.  Mr,  Jof^ph  Willi- 
ams, a  magiftrate,  charged  him  before  the  whole 
congregation,  not  to  come  there  to  preach  again. 
Mr.  Lane  mildly  replied,  that,  as  there  were  many 
other  places  where  he  could  preach  without  inter- 
ruption, he  did  not  know  that  he  {hbuld  come  there 
again  fhortly.  After  wifhing  peace  to  the  reft  of 
the  company,  he  gravely  addrelTed  IVIr  Williams, 
and  faid,  "  Little,  Sir,  as  you  now  think  it,  my  im- 
preffions tell  me,  that  you  will  become  a  Baptif},  a 
warm  efpoufer  of  that  caufe  which  you  now  perfe- 
cute."  This  predi(^ion  came  to  pals.  In  about 
twelve  years,  Williams  embraced  religion,  ^as  bap- 
tized, and  became  a  zealous  member  and  ufeful 
deacon  in  the  church  that  v/as  afterwards  formed  at 
that  place. 

In  1768,  the  gofpel  was  preached  here  by  S, 
Harrifs  and  Jeremiah  Walked,  i'he  heavenly  work 
was  profpered  from  year  to  year,  until  a  ccnli- 
derable  number  were  baptized  in  this  vicinity;  all 
of  whom  were  coniidered  as  members ,  of  Notto- 
way church,  at  this  time  the  only  conftituted  church 
within   many  miles.     Being   coniidered  fuiiiciendv 

D  2 


^&i'.jlrtl. . 


x;20  liisroRY  of  Tiit 

qualified,  they  were  pronounced  a  feparatc  church, 
November  a/tJi,  177J>  confiding  of  108  members: 
feveral   of  whom,    afterwards  became  able  •  minif- 
ters  of  the  gofpel,  viz    John  Williams,   Elijah   Ba- 
ker,  John   King,  and   James    Shclburne.       Of  the 
two.firfl  of  thefe,  fee   Biography.     Of  elder  John 
Jvitig,  fee  the  Hi'dorical  Account  of  Strawberry  Af- 
fociltion.     Flder  James  Shelburne  is  ftill  living  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  this  church,  and  is  their  oc- 
cafional  paflor.     When  they  were  firfl  organized  as  a 
church,    they  received    their  minillerial  inffcrudion 
from  Jeremiah  Walker,  who  attended  them  ftatedly, 
and  was  then  paftor  of  Nottoway.     In  December, 
1772,  John  Williams  was  ordained  to  the  miniflry^ 
and  he  became  their  paflor.     The  number  of  difci- 
ples   increafed  greatly;   infomuch  that    as  many  as 
live  or  fix  other  churches  were  taken  oiF  from  Me- 
herrin,  and  formed  into  feparate  churches;  Meher- 
rin  being  the  only  Baptift  church  in  the  counties  of 
Lunenburg,   Mecklenburg,   and    Charlotte.     From 
deaths,    removals,    &c.   this    large    and    profperous 
church  is  now  reduced  to  21  members:  and,  indeed, 
fhe    has    been    lower    than  fhe  is   at  prefent;   her 
pro fpecSs  being  more  aufpicious  at  this  time  (1808) 
than   they  ha-^e  been  for  iome   years.       The    four 
preachers,  mentioned  above,  wiH  always  ftand  as  mo- 
numents  of  honour  to   this    their  mother  church. 
The  Baptift  caufe,  has  not  probably  been  more  ad- 
vanced by  any  four  preachers  in  Virginia. 

REEDY   CREEK, 

In  Lunenburg,  was  conftituted  in  June,  1775. 
Soon  after  their  conftitution,  they  made  choice  of 
Mr.  James  Shelburne  as  their  paftor.  He  has  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  that  office  until  this  time,  being 
Hill  a  diligent  and  ufeful  preacher  of  the  gospel, 
though  about  70  years  of  age.  They  have  been  fa- 
voured vrith  feveral  co'mfortable  revivals  of  religion  ; 


MKIIERUIN    ASSOCIATION.  227 

SO  that  although  there  have  been  frequent  removals 
and  deaths,  their  number  is  flill  more  than  loo. 

They  have  four  meeting  houfes  within  their  limits; 
at  each  of  which  there  is  ftated  preaching  once  a 
month.  The  following  account  taken  from  the  ve^ 
nerable  Mr.  Shelburne  himself,  as  well  as  from  Mr. 
Richards  who  was  prefent,  is  worthy  of  note.  Mr. 
Shelbnrne  is  one  of  the  mofc  religious  men  living. 
He  feldom  talks  on  any  other  fubjccSt.  It  is  eafiiy 
conceived  then,  that  whenever  Zion  languiflies,  he 
feels  his  portion  of  facred  forrow,  expfeffed  by  the 
prophet  Jeremiah,  chap.  9th,  ver.  1ft.  It  will  alfo 
be  adm.itted,  that  of  this  mourning,  the  church  to 
whom  he  ftood  committed,  in  the  ihlQmn  oftice  of 
paftor,  would  fhare  her  full  portion.  Such  was  the 
cafe  for  feveral  years.  The  ilate  of  religion  in  elder 
Shelburne's  church  was  truly  lamentable.  Pie  felt 
it,  and  mourned.  God  heard  hijj  groans,  and  re- 
moved his  complaints.  He  is  often  plea  fed,  how- 
ever, to  take  ftrange  ways,  (ftrange  to  mortals)  to 
efFed:  his  purpofes.  It  v/as  deeply  imprelled  upon 
elder  Shelburne's  mind,  that  if  he  would  make  a  re- 
ligious feaft;  or  in  other  words,  if  he  would  invite  hb 
Neighbours  generally,  to  come  to  his  houfe,  and  there, 
for  three  or  four  days,  entertain  them  with  fuch  as  he 
had;  and  at  the  fam.e  time,  employ  every  opportuni- 
ty in  exhorting  them  to  repentance,  &c.  that  the 
Lord  would  thereby  begin  a  goodly  work,  fie  tried 
it,  and  fucceeded.  Heflirft  appointed  meeting  at  the 
meeting  houfe,  and  Smbi  thence  invited  them,  one 
and  all,  to  his  own  hoiise.  Many  went  The  time 
was  occupied  in  the  moil:  devout  manner.  Singing, 
prayer,  exnortation,  and  converfation  were  all  in  their 
proper  feafon,  attended  to.  The  heavenly  Ihov/er 
defcendedj.  The  fouls  of  many  were  refrefhed ,  and 
from  that  time  the  work  went  on,  to  the  converfion 
of  great  njumbers.  After  this  revival  declined,  and" 
times  agairt  became  unpleafant,  Mr.  S.  had  th-^  fame 
exercifes,  rijade  the  fame  experiment,  and  had  the  in- 


228  m STORY  OF  the 

defcribable  joy  to  find,  that  the  fame  blefled  confe- 
quences  enfued.  Some  fuperiicial  obrervers  will  fay, 
**  indeed  then,  this  old  gentlemen  could  flir  up  a  revi- 
val as  eafily  as  make  a  feaft."  No ;  far  from  it.  He 
nayer  attempted  it,  in  any  cafe,  until  urged  to  it,  by 
the  Spirit  of  grace  deeply  impreffing  his  mind.  And 
when  divine  vvifdom  points  out  the  way,  it  is  as  eafy 
to  accoraplifh  a  revival,  as  it  is  to  bend  the  knee  or 
open  the  lips.  But  all  the  devifes  of  man  are  of  lit- 
tle avail,  unless  the  hand  of  God  be  fuperadded. 

'     CEDAR  CREEK, 

Firft  planted  by  the  labours  of  Rev.  Jeremiah 
"Walker,  was  for  many  years  under  the  care  of  Rev. 
Stephen  Jones,  a  pious,  faithful,  and  ufeful  preacher 
of  God's  word. 

After  having  fought  a  good  fight,  Mr.  Jones  finifh- 
cd  his  courfe,  anno  l8o6",  aged  about  63.  His  death 
was  much  regretted  by  all  dalles  of  his  acquaintance. 
Jufl  before  he  died,  he  called  his  family  together, 
and  prayed  with  them  and  for  them,  faying,  **it  was 
the  lafl:  time^  as  he  fliould  in  a  few  hours  pafs  over 
Jordan."  Since  his  death,  the  church  has  been  deiti- 
tute  of  a  paftor.  It  is  not  fo  flourifhing  as  it  ,ha$f 
been. 

TUSSEKIAH 

Is  an  old  and  numerous  church.  Thomas  Crymes 
was  chofen  minifter  at  the  time  of  conflitution,  hav- 
ing been  previoufly  engaged  in  the  miniilry  among 
them.  He  was  a  faithful  and  diligent  fervant  of 
God.  By  faint  and  finner  he  was  clteemed  a  good 
man.  His  conftant  and  unremitting  labour  in  the 
miniilry,  was  fuppofed  to  have  contributed  to  the 
difeafc  of  which  he  died,  in  the  year  I789.  He  was 
willing  to  be  spent  in  his  Mailer's  work:.  Oh  !  let 
me  live  the  life  and  die  the  death  of  the  ri[;liteous. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Crymes,  the  church  be^ng 
deftitute  of  a  preacher,  refolved  ngtwithflanding,  to 


MEHlSiRRIN  ASSOCIATION.  229 

keep  up  the  monthly  meetings,  and  when  met,  to 
wait  upon  the  Lord,  to  lee  whether  any  would  be 
divinely  imprelTed  to  exercife  any  public  gift.  Leav- 
ing to  each  member  to  ling,  pray,  exhort,  or  preach, 
as  were  his  impreiTions.  In  fome  (liort  time,  Willi- 
am Ellis,  a  man  well  reported  of  for  piety  and  zeal, 
became  a  preacher.  In^Vlay,  1790,  he  was  called  to 
the  paftoral  care  3  and  has  continued  ever  fince.  Un- 
der his  miniilration,  the  church,  though  not  bleiTed 
with  any  important  revival,  has  had  frequent  addi- 
tions; and  is  a  profperous  and  happy  church. 

FLAT  ROCK 

Is  a  new  church.  They  are  the  eucds  of  Mr. 
Shelburne's  labours.  From  prefent  profpedts,  they 
are  likely  to  be  a  united  and  happy  people. 

CUTBANKS. 

Nothing  has  been  received  respedling  this  church, 
except  what  may  be  learned  from  the  table. 

HARPER'S. 

The  gofpei  was  firfl:  carried  here  in  its  purity  a^d 
power,  by  elder  Harrifs,  Childs,  and  Walker;  gr^at 
effe(5ls  enfued.  The  hearts  of  many  being  wrought 
upon,  produced  a  great  reformation  among  the  peopib. 
Finally,  m  1773,  a  church  was  conilitated.  Thqy 
were  for  fome  time  attended  by  Mr.  Walker.  Aftir 
his  downfall,  they  were  deiiitute,  until  T787  Rei^. 
Peter  Wynn  was  ordained  to  the  care  of  them.  I'hey 
have  never  been  a  very  numerous  church,  but  have 
had  fome  uleful  members.  At  prefent,  however, 
through  deaths,  removals,  &c.  they  are  not  io  flc/ur- 
iihmg  as  they  have  been.  Mr.  AYynn  is  ftill  i/heir 
paltor ;  a  man  that  fears  God,  and  wo?rks  rir^hte- 
ousnefs. 


2;>0  IIISTOIIY    OF    THL 

JAMES'S. 

Is* a  young  church;  conccrnhig  wliich,  nothing 
worthy  of  notice  can  be  faid.  They  Hve  in  peace 
ami  love,  one  with  another. 

REEDY  CREEK, 

In  Bruiifwick  County, 

This  church,  together  with  Fountain's  Creek, 
Gencto,  Cutbanks,  and  Harper's,  were  members  of 
the  Portfmouth  AlTociation,  until  Meherrin  AfTocia- 
tion  was  conftituted.  Hence,  we  may  account  foi- 
the  circumftance  of  there  being  two  '^ihurclies  of  the 
fame  name  in.  this  alfociation . 

Reedy  Creek  was  planted  by  the  rninifterial  la- 
bours of  Mr.  Zachary  Thomfon ;  who  continued  to 
vilit  them  flatedly,  for  fome  time.  After  living 
many  years  without  any  regular  paftor,  they  at 
length  called  and  obtained  the  fervices  of  elder 
V/illiam  Dolley ;  who  is  a  young  man  of  talents, 
piety,  and  very  amiable  manners.  He  has  hitherto 
refided,  when  in  the  parts,  at  the  houfe  of  Mr.  Jos. 
Saunders,  clerk  of  the  Meherrin  AlTociatloq.  **  Mr. 
Saunders,"  fays  the  history  of  the  Kehukee  AUbcia- 
tion,  with  other  members  of  this  church,  "  is  re- 
markable for  virtue,  piety,  and  ufefulnefs.  He  was 
alfo  clerk  of  Portsmouth.  Since  Mr.  Doliey  has  had 
t\^  care  of  them,  the  church  has  been  looking  up. 

FOUNTAIN'S  CREEK, 

'Is  a  large  church ;  iirfl  planted  by  the  ministry  of 
elder  Zachariah  Thomson,  Mr  William  Garner 
took  the  care  of  them  at  their  organization,  and  has 
continued  ever  iince.  They  have  had  their  ebbs  and 
flood's;  but  have  generally  been  a  profperous  church. 
In  the  year  .-802,  the  bright  buds  of  mercy  gather- 
ed; and  they  had  a  pleafant  fhower.  A  coniidera- 
ble  number  was  added.     There  is  an  arqi  of  thi.^ 


MEHEKRIN  ASSOCIATION.  231 

dhurch  in  North  Carolina;  who  aflemblc  tt  Vafer's 
Meeting  Houfc,  Northampton  county. 

zroN 

Is  alfo  fome  of  the  fruits  of  Mr,  Creath's  minis- 
try. Having  been  very  lately  conllituted,  nothing 
more  need  be  faid,  than  that,  they  :ire  in  peace  and 
harmony  among  themlelves ;  and  bid  fair  to  profper. 
Mr.  Creath  fliil  attends  them  flatedlv. 


232 


itlsVoEY   oi^  TilE     ' 


TABLE  OF  ROANOKE  ASSOCIATION. 


Names  of 

XT      <n    - 

►T3 

-5     f» 
■       t3 

B 
C 

5 

By  whom 

Former 

Present 

Counties. 

Cliurche:; 

In 

o 

2  £■ 

planted. 

puhtors. 

pastors. 

Catawba 
Buffaloe 


Wynn's 

Creek 

Hurj'ine" 

Cre.k 

tieiJ 
Cliilciiy 

MiJlftone 

Arbour 
Polec.it 


1773 

1774 
1773 
1775 

1779 
1783 

1787 

1785 
1793 


Wiry 

Creek  i8o_ 
Liberty  J1802 
Dan  River  1802 
li  Corner  jiSoj 
Mofllns. 

ford  1785 

BuiFaloe     '177S 


^■"neca 
MiJl 
Church 


Upper 

ianiller  1773 


1804 
1770 


County 
Line 


Bircli 

Creek 
Union 

Bennett's 


1771 


«787    55 
1789:   35 

1790     2£ 


35 


40 

50 
60 

25 


60 


19 


60    S.  Harriis 
87  !s.  Harrifs 


150 

40 

80 

38 
160 


R.  Picket 

^O.  Echols 

T.  Dobfon 

'O.  Echols 
O.  Echols 


81    W.  Dotlbn 


34 

84 

30 

196 
90 


128 
103 

40 
47 


W.  Dotfon 
O.  Echbls 


J.  Atkinfon 
J.  Atkinlon 
[.  Jenkins 
C.  Hubbard 

J.  Williams 
J.  Read 


J.  Jenkins 
J.Cretl 

iS.  Karriis 

S.  Harrils 


R.  E^liott 
R.  Elliott 

J.  Kenney 


jl.  Hill, 
\^  Hall, 
VV.  Dotion 
T.Gilt>crt, 
N.  Hall, 
O.  Echols, 
J.  Hurt 
R.  Picket 

O.  Echols, 
T.  Do') Ion 
r.  Doblbn 

L.  Baker 
O    Echols, 
'    O'.ven^ 
1^''.  Dot  (on, 
S.  Brame 
VV.  Dotlbn 
O.  Echols, 
S.  Brame 

C.Lovelace 

.  Lovehce 
.Hubbard 

J.Williams 
H.  Ltfter, 
J.  Read, 
J.  \yatkins 

N.LoVclacc 


?.  Hurt 
C.Hubbard 

R.  Picket 

T.  Dobfon 

L.  Baker 
J .  J  tnkins 

J. Jenkins 

J.  Atkinfon 
J.  Atkinfon 

C.  Lovelace 

C.  Lovelace 
C.Hubbard 

R.  Dabbs 
B.Izztl 

N.Lovelace 


J.  Creel,        E.  Dodfon 

iT.Burgefs, 

J.  Atkinfon  | 

|w.  Bailey,  ; W.Blair 
C.Sanant,   ' 
R.  Elliott 

S.  Harrifs, 

O.  Echols, 

W.  Dodfon 

S.  Brame, 

M.  Bates 

R.  Elliott 

R.  Elliott,     D»  Nowlen 

J. Tompkins 

J.  Kenney,    J.  Jenkins 

G  Dickerfon' 


iialjtax 

do 


do 

do 

do 
do 

do 

do 
do 


do 
dc 
do 
do 

Charlotte 
Mecklen- 
burg 

Canipbell 

Pittfylva. 
nia 


do 


do 


do 
do 
do 

do 


hvOANOKE   ASSOCIATION. 

TABLE  OF  ROANOKE  ASSOCIATION. 

CONCLUDED. 


2;^3 


VV'iitc- 

thorn 

1791 

go 

53 

Lower 

Banifler 

«795 

3* 

277 

Stinking 

River 

rSoo 

40 

5a 

Siiockoe 

1803 

60 

Double- 
creek 

1803 

3  5 

48 

Zion  Hill 

1807 

3S 

-55 

Stewart's 

creek 

36 

M .  Bates 

J.  Jenkins 

M.  Bates 
J.  Jenkins 

J.  Atkinfon 
J.  Jenkinfon 


M.  Bates 

W.  Flop- 

wood 

.1.  Jenkins  'J.  Jenkins     | 

G.  Dicker- 

G.  Dicker- 

ion 

fon 

D.  Nowlen 

D.  Nowlen 

W.  Moore 

J.  Warner 

J.  Wvntr 

R.Elliott 

W.  Blair 

Pitrfylva- 
nia 
do 


do 
do 

do 
60 
do 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Historrf  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Roanoke  Afiocia- 
tiou,  from  her  Conjiitut'ion,  imtil  1807. 

It  has  been  already  fliown,  page  195,  that  Roan- 
oke was  ftricken  off  from  the  Middle  (Jiftrid:,  in 
May  1788,  Their  iirft  feflion  was  holden,  in  Odo- 
ber,  1788,  at  Miller's  ferry,  Dan  river,  VVatkins's 
meeting  houfe;  in  which,  according  to  cuflom,  they 
were  chiefly  employed  in  forming  a  conflitution  or 
rules  of  government.  This  conflitution  pofTefTes 
more  energy  in  fome  of  its  provifions,  than  will  be 
found  in  the  form  of  government,  adopted  by  mofl 
of  the  affocidtions.  It  has  flood  more  than  twenty 
years,  and  under  it  the  afTociation  has  profpered  to 
an  unufual  extent;  as  will  be  feen  hereafter.  By 
this  conflitution,  the  aflbciation  is  made  the  medium 
to  procure  fuitable  presbyteries  in  the  ordination  of 
preachers,  and  in  the  conflitution  of  churches;  and 
likewife  to  obtain  feafor^able  aid  in  all  matters  of 
dillrefs  in  churches. 

They  met,  for  the  fecond  time,  in  May,  1809,  at 
GrafTy  Creek   meeting  houfe,  in   North  Carolina.* 

Letters  were  received  from  twenty  churches ;  the 
flate  of  v/hich  is  defcribed  in  the  followijig  extradl 
from  the  circular    letter.     "  Excepting  a  few  in- 

••  After  the  reparation  from  t):e  Middle  DiftriiH:,  they  were  joined  by  feveral 
churches  in  Morth  Carolins. 

E   2 


234  ni STORY    OF    TllL 

fiances,  we  had  agreeable  accounts  from  the  church* 
cs,  touching  the  advancement  ot  Emmanuel's  inte- 
red.     And  from  fome  parts,  very  much  lo." 

The  bufmefs  with  which  this  seffion  was  occu- 
pied, difplays  a  noble  and  enterprizing  fpirit;  and 
proves,  that  if  they  could  have  effedted  their  inten- 
tions, they  would  have  done  much  towards  advan- 
cing rhe  refpe(5l ability  of  the  Baptift  fociety.  But 
alas !  what  are  the  moft  noble  views,  without  means 
tQ^acccmplifh  them! 

'J  he  eredion  of  Baptift  feminaries  of  learning,  and 
the  publication  of  a  Hiftory  of  the  Baptiib  in  Vir- 
g"nia,  were  the  fubjeds  of  the  greateft  importance 
to  which  they  attended.  For  further  information, 
as  to  their  proceedings  on  each,  fee  the  History  of 
the  General  Committee,  end  other  places. 

A  copy  of  the  minutes  of  this  aflbciation,  accom- 
panied by  a  letter  frOm  Rev.  John  Williams,  was 
fent  by  him,  to  Mr.  Rippon,  London;  who  publifh- 
ed  extrads  therefrom,  in  his  Annual  Regifler  of  the 
Baptifts. 

Odober,  1789,  they  met  again,  at  Catawba  meet- 
ing houfe,  Halifax  county.  Letters  from  twenty 
cigiit  churches  were  received.  Their  tidings  were 
picafing. 

About  this  time,  Henry  Pattillo,  a  Presbyterian 
preacher  of  diflincflion,  had  preached  feveral  times 
in.  favour  of  infant  baptifm;  in  which,  he  had  de- 
•^raded  the  Haptifts  in  the  mofl  fcurrilous  manner. 
Ihe  AiTociation,  in  order  to  rebut  his  calumny,  ap- 
pointed John  Williams  to  anfwer  him,  on  a  certain 
day;  which  day,  they  determined  fhould  be  a  day  of 
falling  and  prayer.  Accordingly,  Mr.  Williams 
Uilfilled  the  appointment,  to  the  general  fatisfadtion 
if  the  Baptifts  and  their  friends;  and  to  the  annoy- 
unce  of  their  enemies.  A  David  can  flay  a  Goliath, 
* vhen  he  comes  to  him  Sn  the  name  of  the  Lord  of 


ROANOKE  ASSOCIATION.  23.3 

Their  next  feffion  was  at  Whiteoak  mountain, 
Pittfylvania  county,  June,  1790.  Letters  from  thir- 
ty four  churches  were  received,  affording  no  fingu- 
lar  intelligence.  The  buiinefs  of  the  Affociation  was 
not  intereiHng. 

Ottober,  1790,  they  met  again,  at  Picket's  meet- 
ing houfe.  Letters  were  received  from  thirty  one 
churches, 

At  this  ailbciation,  fome  debate  arofe  as  to  the  au- 
thenticity of  the  chriftian  fabbath  ;  but  was  at  length 
unanimously  determined  in  favour  of  its  being  ob- 
ferved  as  a  facred  day.  This  fubjedt  has  been,  not 
unfrequently,  taken  up  among  the  Virginia  Baptifls, 
both  in  public  and  private;  and  the  divine  authority 
of  the  fabbath  day  difputed  by  fome.  In  confe- 
^uence  of  fuch  debates,  it  has  been  thought  that  the 
fabbath  has  not  been  as  religioufly  obferved,  in  fome 
places,  as  duty  would  require. 

An  abjftradt  of  principles,  containing  twenty  arti* 
cles,  was  publiihed  by  this  alTociation.  They  are 
fubftantially    the    fame  as  the   confession   of  faith. 

They  met  at  Dobfon's  meeting  houfe,  Halifax, 
June,  1 79 1.  Letters  were  received  from  thirty  four 
churches.  They  detail  nothing  iingular.  It  was 
determined,  that  in  future,  the  Distrid:  fliould  be  di- 
vided into  two.  The  ^n.^  to  be  called  Dan  River  Af- 
fociation, and  the  other  to  retain  the  name  of  Roan- 
oke. It  is  unneceflary  to  detail  the  particulars  of 
this  divifion,  feeing  after  twofeffions  they  deterrnvn 
cd  to  reunite. 

Odober,  1791,  the  Roanoke  Affociation  met  at 
Catawba  meeting  houfe,  Halifax. 

April,  1792,  they  met  at  Allen's  Creek  meetin? 
,    houfe,  Pittfylvania. 

October,  1792,  they  met  at  Mill  meeting  houfe, 
Pittfylvania.  No  bufmefs  worthy  of  notice-  was 
tranfacted  at  thefe  fellions. 

May,  1793,  they  met  at  Grafly  Creek  meeting 
houfe.  North  Carolina.     Letters  were  received  from 


230  HISTORY    OF    TIIK 

twenty  feven  churches;  from  which  it  appeared,  that 
the  itute  of  religion  was  very  advdiVie  indeed ;  only 
twenty  having  been  baptized  Irom  the  lafl  aiTociation. 

October,  1793,  they  met  at  iJart's  Chapel,  North 
Carolina.  Letters  from  thirty  iix  churches  were  re- 
ceived; detailing  unpleafant  tidings,  as  to  the  low 
Aate  of  religion. 

'I  he  following  query  was  introduced  and  anfwer- 
ed,  viz.  Whether  the  excommunication  of  a  miniiler 
does  not  make  his  credentials  null  and  void  ? 

Anlwered  in  the  affirmative. 

This  is  a  lubject  of  general  intereft.  Many  evils 
have  been  produced,  from  excommunicated  preachers 
availing  themfelves  of  their  former  credentials  :  yet, 
it  is  diriicult  to  rind  a  remedy. 

May,  1794,  they  n.et  at  Blueflone  meeting  houfe, 
^Mecklenburg.  Letters  from  twenty  fix  churches 
were  received:  the  lan^^bage  of  which  is  lamenta- 
lion.  In  ail,  forty  lour  had  been  baptized.  'J'he 
total  number  in  all  the  churches,  was  314^. 

Odtober,  1794,  they  met  at  Catawba  meeting 
houfe,  Halifax.  Letteis  from  thirty  iix  churches 
were  received.     They  IHII  lament  their  languid  ftate. 

The  only  bufinefs  tranfacted  at  this  feflion  worthy 
of  notice,  was'  the  diviiion  of  the  Di(tri(3".  The  ftate 
line  became  the  boundary  between  the  two  diHridls. 
1  he  churches  in  North  Carolina  were  conllituted 
uiider  the  name  of  the  Flat  River  AHuciation.  The 
Roanoke,  appointed  their  next  afibciation  to  be  hold- 
en  at  Banifter  meeting  houfe,  Pittfylvania  county,  on 
the  Saturday  before  'the  iirfl  Sunday  in  May,  1795. 

Saturday,  May  2d,  1795,  tkey  met  at  the  appoint- 
ed place.  Letters  from  twenty  five  churches  were 
received  :  all  of  which  bemoan  the  dark  and  gloomy 
ilate  of  religion  am.ong  them.  The  circular  letter 
to  the  churches,  on  this  fubjedt,  fpeaks  in  this  wiser 
**  We  haye  read  your  letters,  which  give  us  the  dole- 
ful tidings  of  the  decleniion  of  religion  in  this  dif- 
tridl ;  and  alfo,  how  few  there  are  added  to  the  bor- 


ROANOKE  ASSOCIATION.  237 

tiers  of  Zion.  O^.brethren  !  what  counfel  fliall  wo 
give  you  in  this  diftrelTing  fituation  ?  We  can  only 
fay,  that  the  caufe  mufl  exift  among  the  profcfs- 
ors  of  religion.  God  has  not  changed.  It  miift  be, 
therefore,  certain  that  we  have  changed;  and  that 
our  transgreflions  have  raifed  a  wall  between  God  and 
our  fouls."  This  letter  was  compofed  by  Samuel 
Brame.  The  whole  number  of  churches  now  re- 
maining in  this  diftricft  is  thirty  four.  TIiq  whole 
number  baptized  in  the  correfponding  churches,  is 
eight  onlv.  'Jlie  whole  number  m  all  tlje  churches, 
is  two  thoufand  and  eighty  five. 

October,  1793,  theym.et  at  Reedy  Creek  meeting 
houfe,  Halifax. 

May,  »79(i,   they   met   at    Sandy  Creek  meeting 
Jioufe,  Charlotte. 

October,    1796,  they  met   at   Buffaloe    meeting 
houfe,  Mecklenburg. 

May,   1797,  they  met  at  County    Line   meeting 
houfe,  Pittfylvania. 

Od:ober,  1797,  they  met  at  Mufterfield  meeting 
houfe,  Halifax. 

May,  1798,  they  met  at  Buffaloe  meeting  houfe, 
Halifax. 

Odober,  179B,  they  met  at  Emmerfon's  mcetmg 
houfe,  Pittfylvania. 

May,  1799,  they  met  at  Millflone  meeting  houfe, 
Halifax. 

October,  1799,  they  met  at  Allen's  Creek  meeting 
houfe,  Mecklenburg. 

May,  ifioo,  they  met  at  Arbour  meeting  houfe, 
Halifax. 

Oxiilober,  iSoo,  they  met  at  Whitethorn  meeting 
houfe,  Pittfylvania. 

May,    1801,  they  met  Childry   meeting  houfe, 
Halifax. 

October,  1 801,  they  m.et  at  MofTrngford  meeting 
houfe,  Charlotte.    • 

The  bufmels  done  during  this  long  wintry  flate, 


'^■'b  HISTORY   OF    TllL 

is  not  of  ibfHcient  importance  to  command  attention, 
except  as  to  their  mode  of  proceeaing  refpecting  the 
languid  /late  of  Zion.  An  induilnous  and  careful 
fhepherd  watches  and  feeds  his  flocks  in  winter, 
guards  them  from  wolves  and  dogs,  flickers  them 
from  ftorms,  cheriilies  the  weak,  Hays  the  wander- 
ing, feparates  the  contagious,  puts  out  the  trouble- 
fome,  &c.  dec.  and  has  them  in  fpring,  llrong  and 
lively,  to  bring  forth  and  raife  their  young.  So 
aded  the  Roanoke  AiTociation  towards  the  churches. 
Asa  mother  nouridieth  her  children,  fo  fhe  nour- 
idled  her  people.  Her  condudl  during  this  period, 
is  worthy  of  lafling  remembrance.  Frequent  d;;)s 
of  failing:!  and  of  prayer,  were  appointed  and  obferved 
through  the  churches,  to  bewail  their  declenfion  and 
to  i'lrivefor  a  revival.  Every  circular  letter  contain- 
ed fonie  exhortation  to  the  churches  to  fearch  for  the 
cauie,  to  endeavour  to  roufe  i\p^  "from  tlieir  Ictha^g3^ 
In; 797,  th<5y  laid  off  two  diflrids,  and  appointed 
two  minifters,  and  tv/o  laymen  for  each,  to  travel 
throu'^h  the  churches  to  examine  their  ilate  and 
{landing,  to  ilir  them  up  to  duty,  and  to  enquire,  if 
there  was  not  fome  accurfed  thing  in  the  camp,  that 
caufsd  the  frowns  of  the  Lord,  upon  the  armies  of 
Ifrael.  This  meafure  v^/as  faithfully  executed;  and 
at  the  next  alTociation,  the  church  letters  exprefs 
great  approbation  of  its  beneficial  efFeds.  In  1798, 
a  query  was  fentfrom  one  of  the  churches,  propoling 
an  examination  of  the  minifters,  as  to  the  perform- 
ance of  their  duty;  and  more  particularly,  as  to  fa- 
mily worfliip;  fuggeiling,  that  to  fome  neglecfl  of 
this  kind,  might  be  afcribed  their  languid  ilate. 
The  examination  was  agreed  to;  and  each  minifler 
rofe  up  in  his  place  aiid  rehearfed  his  excrcifes. 
Some,  with  great  contrition,  acknowledged  their 
negiedl,  and  prcmifed  future  diligence.  It  was  a 
folemn  feafon.  The  proverb,  **  Like  pried  like 
people,"  though  often  ufed  in  ridicule,  is  a  ferious 
truth.     The  fpirit  of  the  living  creature  is  in  the 


ROANOKE   ASSOCIATION.  239 

wheelsi     Seldom  do  we  if^e  a  dull  preacher,   and  a 
lively  church,  or,   vice  verla.      Therefore,  for  the 
iiioit  pa ^,  to  reform   the  miniitry,  is  to  revive  th^ 
church.      The   minifterial   examination   mentioned 
above,  is  faidto  have  made  gre.it  changes.     It  opera- 
ted like l^aul's  epiftle  to  the  delinquent  (Corinthians. 
They  Ibrrowed  after  a  godly  fort.     It  wrought  in 
them    great  carefulness,   6cc.     It  was   not  a  great 
while  after  this,  viz.  the  middle  of  the  year  J  790, 
that  the  dawning  of  one  of  the  bright  days  of  the 
Son  of  man  appeared.     The  work,   hov/cver,  v/as 
coniined  to  a  few  churclies,  until  the  beginning  of 
the  year  1802;   when  it  became  general.     Fair  and 
refrefhing  gales  are  not  more  welcome  to  fea-worn 
failors,    than    thefe   breathings  of  the    Holy   Spirit 
Were,  to  the  precious  fons  of  Zion  in  this  affocia- 
tion.     In  feme  churches,  the  numbers   were  more 
than    doubled:    in    fome,  more  than  two  hundred 
were  added."*     In  their  circular  letter.  May,  18()2, 
they  publiih  an  account  of  this  work,  and  ilate,  that 
one  tlioufand  three  hundred  and  forty  one  had  alrea- 
dy been  baptized;  and  that  the  work  was  ftill  going  on. 
The  aflbciation  for    May,    1B02,  was   holden   at 
BufFaloe  meeting  houfe,  Mecklenburg. 

C)d:ober,  1802,  they  met  at,  Li ieve's  meeting  houfe, 
Pittfvivania. 

Notwithilandino;  the  bleiled  ft-^te  of  the  2:ornel 
in  this  di.^rifl,  at  this  time;  they  had  a  fevere  tnal, 
in  the  maicondudt  of  a  certaia  James  Tompkins; 
and  in  the  oppofition  m'.de  to  the  prudent  difcipline 
exercif  d  towards  him,  by  a  presbytery  united  to  the 
churches  of  which  he  was  a  member  and  miniiter. 
The  presbytery  confiiled  of  rniniliers  appointed  by 
the  aflbciation,  at  the  requeft  of  the  churches  imme- 
diately interelled.  When  the  presbytery  met,  tl;ie 
Upper  Baniller  and  Stewart's  Creek  churches  uni- 

*  Tns  churches  m  this  afToclatson,  are  confined  within  much 
narrov/er  liiiiits,  than  inalmoftany  part  of  Virginia;  10  rJiat  two 
htmdrcd  <^'•as  a  verv  larjje  number  indeef-i,  ?vH  thine;.?  confidered. 


240  IIISTORV    OF    THE 

ted,  and  with  the  presbytery  formed  a  council  to 
inveftigate  and  decide  on  Tompkins's  condu(fl:.  On 
a  fair  and  impartial  trial,  they  pronounced  him  guilty 
of  the  crimes  alledged  againft  him,  and  excluded 
him.  Tompkins,  however,  denied  tlie  allegation; 
and,  being  a  man  of  addrefs,  formed  a  confiderable 
party  in  his  favour,  in  fome  of  the  churches;  who 
very  incautioufly  and  prematurely,  cxprefled  their 
difapprobation  of  the  proceedings,  in  their  corref- 
ponding  letters  to  this  feffion.  To  tliefe  churches 
the  aflbciation  fent  committees  to  remonflrate.  The 
churches  and  individuals  who  had  caufcd  the  distrefs, 
conceded;  and  a  report  to  that  amount,  v/as  made  to 
the  next  aiibciation. 

A  committee  was  alfo  appointed,  at  the  requell  of 
fome  of  the  churches,  to  attend  the  churches  to  which 
Tompkins  had  been  conneded,  and  to  give  him  a 
further  chance  to  exonerate  himself  from  the  char- 
ges laid  against  him;  or  of  making  fatisfadory  con- 
ceffions.  They  met,  and  rein  (rated  him,  with  par- 
tial conceflions  on  his  part.  Of  his  guilt,  however, 
many  who  were  well  acquainted  with  the  whole 
ground,  enter  tamed  very  little  doubt;.  Jn  a  little 
time  after  his  reftoration,  he  profefTed  to  be  convin- 
ced of  the  truth  and  propriety  of  infant  baptifm;  and 
a(5lually  joined  the  Presbyterians. 

Mr.  Tompkins  did  not  live  long  in  the  enjoyment 
of  his  new  principles.  The  fcythe  of  time,  that 
fweeps  down,  without  dilti nation,  the  good  and  the 
bad ;  brought  him  to  the  dufb  in  a  ihort  time. 

James  Tompkins  was  a  young  man  of  confiderable 
talents;  and  until  fufpeded  of  diforderly  behaviour, 
was  very  popular  as  a  BaptiO:  preacher.  It  would 
feem,  that  his  downfall  was  a  fpecies  of  adverfity 
permitted  of  God,  to  be  fet  over  againfl:  the  profpe- 
rity  of  the  Baptifts  in  this  afTociation.  It  happened 
in  the  height  of  the  revival. 

April,  1803,  they  met  at  Ebenezer  meeting  houfe, 
Campbell.      Letters   from    twenty  fcv-^n   churches 


ROANOKE  ASSOCIATION.  241 

were  received.  As  far  as  the  ftate  of  religion  can  he 
conje(5lured  from  the  minates,  it  appears  that  the 
revival,  as  it  refpeds  the  converfion  of  finners,  was 
,  fomewhat  on  the  decline.;  the  harveil  being  nearly 
over.  But  as  it  refpedts  the  ftate  of  the  churches, 
it  feemed  that  christians  were  in  the  Uvely  exercife 
of  vital  piety  ;  a  cumber  of  young  and  promising 
labourers  thruft  into  the  vineyard ;  feveral  new 
churches  conftituted;  and,  with  very  few  exceptions, 
peace  and  love  reigned  throughout  Zion's  borders. 

A  minifter  of  confiderable  talents,  misled  by  am- 
bition, having  about  this  time,  fct  up  for  a  member 
of  congrefs,  created  foeie  diftrefs  among  the  breth- 
ren. In  confequence  of  which,  the  following  query 
was  offered  to  this  affociation. 

Query.    Will  the  word  of  God  tolerate  a  minifter 
of  the  gofpel  in  fuing  for  a  poft  of  honour  and  profit 
in  legillation,  and  retain  the  privileges  of  his  minifie- 
jial  office  at  the  fame  time. 

For  reafons  unknown,  the  affociation  never  an- 
fwered  the  query.  VYe  will  offer  a  few  reflections. 
For  a  real  miniiier  of  God's  word,  to  become  a  can- 
didate for  a  political  office,  feems  to  us  more  abfurd, 
than  for  a  man  made  prime  miniifer,  to  fue  for  the 
buice  of  conflable.  Doubtlefs,  in  the  view  of  a  found 
mind,  the  difparity  between  the  office  of  prime 
ininifler  and  that  of  conilable,  is  not  fo  great  as  be- 
tween a  legitimate  (land  in  the  pulpit,  and  a  feat  in 
congrefs.  As  the  heavens  are  higher  than  tlie  earthy 
fo  are  God's  honours  above  man's; 

Odober,  1^03,  they  met  at  Meherrin  meeting 
houfe,  Lunenburg.  Letters  from  thirty  t\^o  church- 
es were  received  The  Hate  of  religion  was  nearly 
as  defcribed  at  the  lafl  affociation.  No  lefs  than  nine 
young  preachers  had  been  ordained  from  the  hCt  :if- 
fociation  ;  as  appears  by  the  return  of  presbyteries. 
For  fome  feflions  back,  there  had  been  fome  in  the 
aflbciation,  who  advocated  a  diviiion  of  the  dillrid. 

Fc 


Ii42  lilSTOllY    OF    Tlli: 

On  a  fair  trial  now,  it  was  fciund,  that  a  large  majc« 
rity  were  decidedly  oppofed  to  it.  It  was  however, 
agreed,  that  any  churches  lying  on  the  extremity 
might  be  difmifled,  for  the  purpofe  of  combining 
with  others,  appertaining  to  other  allbciations,  to  form 
a  new  aiTociation.  By  thefc  means,  it  fell  out,  that 
the  alTociations  now  called  Mcherrin  and  Appomat- 
tox were  eftablifhed.  A  committee  of  fevcn  able 
and  experienced  minifters  were  appointed  on  Satur- 
day, to  examine  the  amendments  made  to  the  con- 
feffion  c/ faith  -,  who  reported  on  Monday,  that  they 
were  of  opinion  that  "  the  amendments  and  altera- 
tions are  much  for  the  better."  To  which  the  aiTo- 
^piation  confented. 

May,  iHoJ-,  they  met  at  Bethel  meeting  houfe. 
North  Carolina.*  Letters  from  thirty  one  churches 
were  received.  Religion  feems  to  be  not  fo  warm 
and  profperous  as  at  the  laft  afTociation :  yet  there 
were  feveral  applications  for  the  conftitution  of  new 
churches,  and  for  the  ordination  of  young  miniilers. 
It  was  determined  that  a  funimary  of  church  difci- 
pline  fhould  be  formed  for  the  advantage  of  the 
churches  in  their  government,  and  then  fent  by  the 
compofer  to  the  churches,  for  infpedion.  This 
fummary  was  finally  ratified  by  the  aflbciation,  antj 
two  hundred  copies  printed.  This  was  certainly  ^ 
wise  and  prudent  meafure  ;  calculated  to  prefcrve  or- 
der and  uniformity  among  the  churches. 

Odlober,  1804,  they  met  at  Stinking  River  meet- 
ing houfe,  Pittsylvania.  Letters  from  twenty  eight 
churches  were  received.  The  ftate  of  religion  near- 
ly as  at  laft  fetfion.  No  bufinefs  worthy  of  notice 
was  taken  up  in  this  afTociation. 

May,  1S05,  they  met  at  Catawba  meeting  houfe, 
Halifax.  Letters  from  thirty  four  churches  were 
received-     And  if  any  judgment  can  be  formed  from 

.•  The  meeting  houfe  is  in  North  Carolina,  but  it  belongs  to 
r.fayo  church  ;  the  larger  pairt  c-i*  v/b:ch  is  in  Virginia. 


ROANOKE    ASSOCIATION,  243 

the  ordination  of  miniilers  and  the  conftitution  of 
churches ;  wc  may  venture  to  pronounce,  that  the 
{late  of  religjton  was  by  no  means  very  adverfe  in  this 
diftrid,  at  this  time.  The  circular  letter,  however, 
calls  It  a  fitYmg  time.  No  other  except  local  matters, 
commanded  :he  attention  of  the  Aflbciatioa.        ^- 

0<flober,  1 80.5,  they  met  at  Hunting  Creek.  Let- 
ters from  thirty  churches  were  received.  The  Aflo- 
ciation  appointed  the  Saturday  before  the  firft  Sun- 
day in  December,  for  humiliation,  failing,  and  pray- 
er, for  an  increafe  of  grace,  and  a  revival  of  God's 
work.  This  practice  is  fu rely  worthy  of  imitation. 
in  no  afibciation  have  the  appointments  of  fail  days 
and  fuch  like  means  for  the  promotion  of  the  profpe- 
rity  of  Zion,  been  oftener  relbrted  to,  than  in  Roan- 
oke Dillridl :  And  it  may  with  fafety  be  faid,  that 
within  her  limits,  the  Baptift  caufe  has  flouriihed 
more,  tlian  in  any  fedlion  of  the  flate  of  V^irginia;  not 
to  fay,  of  the  United  States.  They  prayed  the  Lord 
of  the  harvefl  to  fend  forth  labourers,  and  they  were 
fent.  They  abound  in  preachers ;  fome  of  whom  are 
able,  and  mod  are  ufefulj^ 

IVlay,  t8o6,  they  tiiet  at  County  Line  meeting 
houfe,  Pittfylvania.  Letters  from  tv/enty  nine  church- 
es were  received.  It  v/as  refolved,  to  adopt  as  a  cir- 
cular letter  for  this  fefiion,  a  letter  of  Mr,  John  New- 
ton, on  the  dodlrine  of  eledlion  and  final  perfeverance. 
This  is  certainly  an  admirable  compofition.  Bat 
when  we  confider  the  prepolTeffion  of  moll  read- 
ers, in  favour  of  authors  with  whom  they  have  per- 
fonal  acquaintance  :  when  we  conlidcr  the  improve- 
ment which  thefe  annual  ccmpofitions  might  aitord 
to  fome  of  the  fons  of  genius  in  the  AlTociation ;  we 
are  of  opinion,  that  it  is  impolitic  to  borrow ;  elpe- 
cially  from  old  and  knov/n  wri-ings,  which  they 
could  eafily  get  without  printing. 

October,  i8o6,  they  met  at  IJpper  Banifter  meet- 
ing houfe,  Pittfylvania.  Letters  from  eighteen 
churclVes  were  received.  Their  llyle  is  that  of  cojn- 
piaint  on  account  of  the  dead  ilate  of  Zion. 


iM  HISTORY   OF   THE 

It  is  ftatcd  in  the  minutes  of  this  feflion,  that  in 
the  churches  that  compose  the  Roanoke  Alfociation, 
tliere  are  twenty  five  ordained,  and  five  licenfed  mi- 
niflers.  There,  are  in  all  twenty  nine  churches ;  hay- 
ing on  an  average  more  than  one  pre;)cher  for  each 
churth.  in  this  fe^aon  the  following  query  was  in- 
troduced :  Has  a  minifter  of  the  gofpcl  any  more 
power,  in  the  government  of  a  church,  than  an  indi- 
vidual of  the  laity?  Anfwcred  in  the  negative.  This 
dccifion,  muft  doubtlefs,  carry  the  principles  of  free 
government  beyond  all  fcripture  example  ;  provided, 
byminifters  of  the  gofpel,  paftors  of  churches  are  in- 
tended. Nothing  can  be  more  clear,  than  that, 
through  the  whole  tenor  of  the  new  teftament,  they 
are  recognized  as  having  authority  of  fome  sort. 
They  are  called  rulers;  and  are  promifed  a  rev/ard 
if  they  rule  well.  They  are  called  elders  ;  alluding, 
no  doubt,  to  elders  under  the  Mofaic  economy;  who 
furely  had  authority  in  the  nation.  Paul  writes  to 
the  different  churches  in  the  language  of  authority; 
and  advifes  Timothy  and  Titus  as  minifters,  whom 
he  conliders  as  having  power.  ^  It  will  then  be  ask- 
ed. What  kind  of  authority  do  they  poflefs  ?  To 
which  it  may  be  anfwered.  They  have  a  power  fmii- 
lar  to  that  of  fathers  :  the  authority  of  love.  Hence, 
they  are  charged  by  Peter,  not  to  lord  it,  over  God's 
heritage  :  not  to  feel  and'  adl-,  as  if  they  were  lords 
and  mafters.  This  fentiment,  while  it  embraces  the 
plain  tenor  of  the  word,  is  by  no  means  repugnant  to 
republican  church-government;  feeing  paftors  are 
chofen  by  the  churches,  and  cannot,  therefore,  have 
any  kind  of  power  until  given  by  them.  They  are, 
therefore,  reprefentatives  of  the  churches,  exercifmg 
various  branches  of  power,  in  the  name  and  for  the 
benefit  of  the  church,  and  for  the  glory  of  God.  If 
t})is  were  not  the  cafe,  how  could  the  pallor  be  re- 
fponfible  for  the  /landing  of  the  church;  as  is  evi- 
dent, from  the  addrefles  to  the  antrels  of  the  feven 
churches  of  *'\fia. 


BOAkOKE  iLSSdci'ATlbN,  245 

Ma^,  1807,  they  'met  at  Seneca  meeting  houfe, 
Campbell.  Letters  from  twenty  four  churches  were 
received.  The  accounts,  as  ufual  of  late  years,  re- 
prefent  the  churches  as  in  a  wintry  ftate.  Kothiag 
except  local  matters,  was  attended  to   in  this  llffion. 

Odloher,  1^07,  they  met  at  Millftone  rrteting 
houfe,  [lalifax.  Letters  from  twenty  feven  churc-es 
were  received.  No  revival.  The  love  of  many  wax- 
ing cold. 

Coniiderable  agitation  of  mind  was  excJted  at  this 
fe^on,  in  confequence  of  a  n-iery,  introduced  from  a 
church  in  the  county  of  Charlotte  :  Whether  it  was 
a  rndicim,  firmly  eft.ibiiilied  among  the  Saptiils,  that 
*Vhliman  learning  is  ot  no  uf^."  This  query  arofe 
out  or  an  illiberal  aiTertion,  contained  in  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Rice,  a  Presbyterian  preacher  of  Charlotte,  to 
the  chairma:!  of  the  conmiittce  of  millions ;  and  which 
was  pabiidiied  in  the  Affeaibly's  Miilionary  Maga- 
zine of  May,  1^.07.  In  which  Mv.  Rice  declar^'s, 
that,  among  the  '3*iptiib  of  this  neighbourhood,  it  is 
a  maxim,  very  firmly  eitabliOied,  that  human  learn- 
is  of  no  ufe.  The  AiTociation  took  up  the  buiinefs, 
and  appointed  a  committee  of  certain  brethren,  to 
anfvver  and  explain  the  fubjedl.  The  anfwer,  which 
was  ftrong  and  energetic,  compofed  by  Mr.  Kerr, 
was  printed.  No  reply,  or  attempt  to  eftablifh  the 
aflertion,  has  been  made  by  Mr.  Rice,  as  yet. 

It  will  eaiily  be  difcovered  by  a  judicious  reader, 
that  the  adminiftration  of  this  ailbciatiqn  has  been, 
from  the  beginning,  marked  v/ith  prudence,  modera- 
tion, zeal,  and  piety.  And  that  to  her  wise  and 
watchful  meafures,  under  God,  may  be  afcribedmuch 
of  the  great  fucccfi;,  which  has  attended  the  Baptill 
caufe  within  her  limits.  Her  miniifers,  though  not 
blefled  with  claffic  educations  ;  feem  well  yerfed  in 
that  wisdom  which  delcendeth  from  above. 

At  thair  firft  conftitution.  Rev.  Samuel  Harrifs 
a<rred  generally,  as  moderator.     Since  his  relinquifh- 


246  UISTOllY    OP    Tllli 

ment  and  death,  Rev,  Reuben  Picket  iias  commonly 
iiiied  the  moderator's  chair.  Their  fid\  clerk  was 
Rev  John  WilUams.  He  was  fucceeded  by  Rev. 
John  Atkinfon  j  and  iince  his  refignation,  Rev.  John 
Jenkins  has  adted  as  clerk.  Thefe  offices  have  been 
temporarily  filled  by  others  i  but  the  above  named 
were  their  ftated  fervants.  A  number  of  excellent 
circular  letters  were  found  in  the  minutes  of  this  af- 
fociation.  But  our  limits  are  becoming  too  narrow 
to  publifli  the  extrad:s  which  we  at  firft  intended. 
And  in  particular,  one  annexed  to  the  minutes  of 
i8oJ,  compofed  by  Rev.  James  Hurt,  being  an  ad- 
drefs  to  young  preachers,  is  fo  well  calculated  to  do 
good,  th.at  it  is  with  real  regret  we  fee]  compelled  to 
omit  it.* 


CHAPTER  XXr. 

Jlijlorical  Sketches  of  the  Churches  in   RoanoJcc 
jljfociatioji. 

CATAWBA. 

The  people  of  this  neighbourhood  had  the  procla- 
mation of  peace  made  to  them,  foon  after  the  rife  of 
the  Baptifts  in  Virginia,  Samuel  Harrifs  was  the 
firft  fuccefsful  preacher.  His  plants  were  watered 
by  the  fucceeding  labours  of  himfelf  and  others,  un- 
til a  church  was  conftituted,  and  James  Hill,  a 
preacher,  raifed  up  amon^  them.  He  was  indudted 
as  their  firfl  pador;  and  continued  for  fome  years. 
In  1777,  elder  Nathaniel  Hall  became  paftor,  and 
continued  faithfully  to  disfcharge  the  duties  of  his 
office,  until    1785  ^   when  believing  himfelf  to   be 

*  Would  not  a  volume,  made  up  of  circular  letters  judicioufly 
fele6led,  be  a  plealing  and  profitable  publication  at  this  time : 
The  compiler  would  gladly  furnidi  a  friend  difpofed  to  publifli 
fuch  a  volume,  materials,  to  coufiderable  ^tent  now  in  hia  pof- 
felUon,  from  which  the  fele-ftion  might  be  made 


•i^OANOKE  ASSOCIATION,  247 

lupplanted  by  William  Dotfon,  a  preacher  of  popu- 
lar talents,  he  moved  to  the  flate  of  Georgia  j  where 
he  lived  and  died  a  faithful  minifter  of  God's  word. 
He,  though  a  found  preacher,  was  not  a  minifter  of 
diftinguifhed  abilities. 

Dotibn  having  inlinuated  hiinfelf  into  the  favour 
of  the  congregation,  was  chofen  as  Mr.  Hall's  fuc- 
cefibr.  Being  of  a  reftlefs  fpirit,  after  a  few  years 
he-  left  them.  In  lyg^,  they  made  choice  of  their 
prefent  paftor  ;  who  has  continued  to  ferve  them 
fteadily  until  this  time.  Catawba  has  been  a  flour- 
ifhing  church  from  the  beginning.  They  have  ge- 
nerally had  among  them  feveral  private  members  of 
intelligence,  piety,  and  prudence,  that  were  rich  in 
this  world,  and  willing  to  communicate;  hence  they 
have  fo  frequently  had  the  Allbciation  at  their  meeting 
houfe. 

Mr.  Philip  Hurt,  their  pastor,  is  a  fenfible,  found, 
and  folemn  preacher  :  a  friend  to  difcipline  and  or- 
der; and  has  done  much  good  in  his  day  and  genera- 
tion. God  has  beftowcd  upon  Mr.  Hurt,  one  of 
the  greateft  of  bleffings  ever  enjoyed  by  a  pious  fa- 
ther in  this  vale  of  tears.  He  has  the  happinefs  to 
fee  his  own  fon  living,  in  the  bounds  of  his  church, 
a  pious  chriftian,  and  an  eminent  minifter  of  the  gofpeL 

Robert  Hurt  was  one  of  the  lirft  fruits  of  the 
great  revival.  He  commenced  preacher  foon  after 
his  converfion ;  and  rofe  into  notice,  as  a  young  man 
of  amiable  manners,  pious  life,  and  very  promiling 
talents.  Although  he  lives  in  the  bounds  of  Cataw- 
ba, he  ad:s  as  minifter  for  fome  of  the  neighbouring- 
churches  . 

BUFFALOE 

Was  alfo  the  fruits  of  the  venerable  S.  Flarrif^:, 
Thomas  Gilbert,  a  preacher  of  zeal  and  ufefulnefs, 
was  their  firft  paftor.  They  had  alfo  the  minifterial 
fervices  of  Nathaniel  Hall,  and  Obadiah  Echols,  at 
different  times;  but  we  have  not  had  information 


248  llISTOKY    OF    'IM.'t: 

fufficiently  diftind  to  be  able  to  fay  at  wbat  period? 
thefe  men  ferved  them.  Their  prefent  pallor,  elder 
Clarke  Hubbard,  is  a  warm,  zealous,  and  perfevering 
preichcr.  Although  his  opportunities  for  acquiring 
literary  knowledge,  were  very  fmall,  in  his  early  lite  ; 
yet  as  foon  as  he  was  arrefted  by  divine  grace,  he  de- 
voted his  mind  to  the  improvement  of  his  gifts ;  and 
his  profiting  appears  to  all  v/ho  know  him.  BufFa- 
loe  participated  in  the  revival  of  1802,  and  feventy 
fix  were  added. 

MAYO. 

This  is  one  of  the  largeft  churches  in  Roanoke  A  fTo- 
ciation;  yet  has  been  much  larger  than  it  is  at  pre- 
fent. From  the  beginning  they  have  been  a  very 
refpedable  people.  In  1790,  they  had  one  hundred 
and  forty  members.  At  fubfequent  periods,  they 
increafed  by  fmall  additions;  but  in  1802,  they  en- 
joyed the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  in  large  portions  : 
one  hundred  and  twenty  were  added  :  after  which, 
the  clmrch  had  as  many  as  four  hundred  members  : 
but,  by  frequent  removals,  &c.  they  iare  now,  not 
{o  numerous. 

They  have  had  but  one  paftor  ;  and  no  other  can 
they  willi,  fo  long  as  he  is  enabled  by  divine  good- 
nefs  to  perform  the  duties  of  hisotrice. 

Rev.  Reuben  Picket,  their  paftor,  w^as  born  in  the 
year  1752,  embraced  true  religion  in  the  year  1769, 
and  was  baptized  by  Samuel  Harrifs,  in  Orange  coun- 
ty, not  far  from  his  place  of  refidence,  a  few  months 
"after  his  converfion  Although  only  about  eighteen 
years  of  age,  his  mind  led  him  to  appear  in  public, 
in  order  to  perfuade  finners  to  repentance.  Hearing 
of  a  great  work  of  God  in  Shenandoah  county,  he 
could  not  be  kept  back ;  but  went  into  the  midll  of 
it.  There  he  commenced  firft  exhorter,  and  then 
preacher ;  and  foon  became  very  fuccefsful  in  indu- 
cing his  fellow  men  to  tUrn  toCjod.  He  and  elder 
Koones    travelled   together ;     Koones   preached   in 


aOANOKE  ASSOfclATIOK%  240 

Dutch,  and  he  in  Englifli :  many  of  each  language, 
through  their  labours  were  initiated  into  divine  fa- 
vour. About  this  time,  Mr,  8.  ilarrifs  coming  on 
a  preaching  vifit  through  thofe  parts,  Mr»  Picket 
felt  great  defire  to  travel  with  him;  but  knowing  he 
was  not  rich,  and  that  hi.^  embarralTments  would  be 
great,  unlefs  he  followed  fome  calling  for  a  livelihood, 
he  was  very  unhappy  for  fome  length  of  time. 
Spreading  his  cafe,  however,  before  his  invilible'  in- 
flru(5tor,  this  text  came  forcibly  to. his  mind;  **  Go 
ye,  and  preach  my  gofpel:"  which  was  fucceeded 
by  the  promife :  **  Lo,  I  am  with  you  ahvays.'* 
He  immediately  forfook  all  earthly  employment, 
and  travelled  on  with  elder  Harrifs  towards  the 
fouthj  expe<5ting  to  go  to  an  aiTociation  in  South 
Carolina.  He  was  however  ftopped  by  a  fevere 
fpell  of  iicknefs,  and  left  by  his  brethren  in  a 
ftrange  part  of  the  world.  His  fufFerings  both  of 
mind  and  body  were  now  extremely  fevere.  But 
it  was  only  the  refiner's  fire  purging  off  the  drofs, 
and  leaving  Mr.  Picket,  like  tried  gold,  to  fliine  with 
fevenfold  fplcndour  After  he  was  fully  recovered 
from  his  afflidions,  he  felt  the  fmiles  of  God  in  a 
more  abundant  manner  than  be  had  ever  done.  He 
then  commenced  his  minifterial  travels  in  North  Ga- 
rolina  and  Virginia,  difl'eminating  evangelical  feed  in 
various  parts.  He  was  ftill  only  about  20  years  of 
age.  Young  as  he  was,  his  talents  were  extenlively 
ufeful.  Many  acknowledged  him  as  the  meflenger 
of  peace  to  their  fouls ;  and  feveral  churches  were 
conftituted  through  the  inftrumentalityof  his  labours^ 
He  at  length,  in  1772,  was  ordained  and  took  tlie 
care  of  Reedy  Bottom,  a  church  raifed  under  his 
miniftry.  The  work  afterwards  fp reading  to  Mayo 
Creek,  a  church  was  conft ituted  by  the  name  Mayo  ; 
and,  foon  after.  Reedy  Bottom  was  diiTolved.  Tc 
Mayo,  Mr.  Picket  has  been  the  confbant  and  faith- 
ful'paftor  from  its  confcitation  i--'-'  '■\'"  '^"''.     Mr, 

G2 


^OJ  HISTORV    OF   TUt 

Picket  itands  in  the  highed:  cftimation  wherever  he 
is  known.  Although  old  and  very  iniirm,  he  is  un- 
remitting in  his  labours,  and  continues  his  miniftra- 
tions,  not  only  to  his  own  congregation,  but  often 
viiits  neighbouring  churciics ;  especially  in  matters 
of  diilrefs  :  Por,  as  a  difciplinarian,  he  is  furpafled 
by  none  His  talents  are  more  diftinguifhed  for 
warm  and  fearching  addrefles  to  the  heart,  than  for 
deep  invefligation.  He  has  been,  for  many  years, 
the  moderator  of  the  aflbciationi  and  doubtlefs  fills 
the  chair  with  as  much  dignity  and  propriety  as  any 
man  in  Virginia.  When  he  fliall  fall  afleep,  hie 
furvivors  will  fay  '*  Mark  the  perfed:  man,  and  be- 
hold the  upright;  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace." 
Mayo  has  alfo  two  other  ordained  preachers  with- 
in her  limits,  viz  John  Brookes  and  Abner  Harrilafon, 

WYNN's  CREEK. 

It  does  not  appear  that  this  was  ever  a  thriving 
church.  Her  members  have  not  for  many  years, 
if  ever,  exceeded  what  they  are  now.  Planted  by 
the  labours  of  Obadiah  bchols,  his  downfall  in  all 
.likelihood  proved  a  iliock  to  the  church,  not  ealily  re- 
covered. An  inveterate  diftrefs  exifted  in  this  church, 
for  a  long  time;  which  drew  the  attention  of  the 
Affociation.  There  were  feveral  presbyterian  com- 
mittees {^ntj  before  they  could  eftedl  a  remedy. 
They  did  not  participate  in  the  great  revival  of  1802. 

Obadiah  Echols,  the  planter  and  the  firft  paflor 
of  this  church,  was,  for  many  of  the  firil  years  of  his 
miniflry,  the  m oft  indefatigable,  laborious  preacher 
any  where  in  thefe  parts:  and  being  a  minifter  of 
oonfiderable  talents,  he  advanced  the  caufe  of  religion 
to  very  great  extent.  But,  alas !  being  a  man  of  im- 
petuous paffions,  and  not  keeping  them  under  proper 
reftrainf,  he  fell  into  grofs  immorality.  The  mif* 
chief  arifing  from  his  fall,  was  commenfurate  with 
the  good   which  fbrung  from   his  former  labours. 


ROANOKE  ASSOCIATION.  251 

Not  long  before. his  death,  he  profelTed  repentance; 
and  was  reinilated. 

HUNTING  CREEK 

Was  planted  by  the  labours  of  Rev.  Thomas  Dob.- 
fon;  and  he  has  continued,  from  firft  to  laft,  their 
paftor.  Their  courfe  has  been  as  fmooth  and  regu- 
lar as  mod  churches.  They  began  with  eight  mem- 
l^ers ;  and  now  have  ten  titles  that,  number. 

Elder  Dobfon,  their  paftor,  is  now  an  old  man. 
He  was  a  native  of  EiTex  county,  but  moved  to  Ha- 
lifax wlien  young.  He  embraced  religion  in  his 
youthful  days ;  and  foon  liftetl  up  his  voice  to  invite 
wanderers  into  the  right  way.  He  has  travelled  lit- 
tle ;  but  in  his  fmall  vineyard  he  has  willingly  work.*- 
ed :  and  will,  ere  long,  find  his  reward,  according  to 
the  deeds  done  in  the  body.  He  is  efteemed  by  hi5 
neighbours  of  every  defcription,  whether  faint  or  lin- 
;ier,  a  man  of  gravity,  fincerity,  and  ufefulnefs. 

MUSTERFIELD. 

This  has  always  been  a  fmall  church:  yet  under 
the  care  of  their  fluthful  paftor,  they  have  enjoyt."d 
love  and  peace,  Elder  Leonard  Baker,  who  has 
hQcn  the  paftor  of  this  church  ever  lince  they  had 
any,  is  the  brother  of  Elijah  Baker,  who  v/as  Co  dif- 
tinguiihed  in  planting  churches  in  the  early  rife  of  the 
Baptids.  He  frequently  travelled  v/ith  his  brother; 
and  aided  him  in  many  of  his  ufeful  labours ;  efpecial- 
ly  on  the  Eaftern  Shore.  For  many  years,  elder  Ba- 
ker has  confined  his  labour^,  chiefly  to  his  own  vici- 
nity. By  thofe  v/ho  have  a  right  to  know  him,  he 
is  valued  as  a  man  of  fincere  piety,  and  a.  minifter  of^ 
genuine  worth.  Mufterfield  did  not  partake,  of  the 
great  revival. 

CniLDRY 

Has  been  a  church  of  no  fmall  profperity.  She 
had  not  arifen,  however,  to  fo  diftiniiUilhed  a  date. 


*;a>  HISTORY    OF    THE 

until  the  revival  in  i3oi  and  i8g2.  In  that  work, 
from  firft  to  laft,  about  one  hundred  were  added  to 
Childry.  TJiey  have  now  no  regular  paftor;  but  are 
blelTed  with  the  /lated  fervices  of  elder  Jenkins. 

MILLSTONE 

AYas  planted  by  William  Dotfon,  who  alio  afTum- 
ed  the  palioral  care,  at  their  conftitution  Dotfon 
was  a  man  of  ardent  zeal,  fome  talents,  and  but  little 
prudence.  Although  he  did  good,  he  did  it  in  liich 
a  way,  that  it  was  often  evil  fpoken  of. 

Their  next  paflor,  Samuel  Bramc,  was  probably 
one  of  the  moil  amiable,  precious  young  riiCn  that 
ever  afcended  the  pulpit.  He  was  a  native  of  C  aro- 
line,  (fee  Reed's  church,  page  mS,;  and  embraced 
religion  when  very  young,  under  the  mmiflry  of  the 
celebrated  Mr.  Leland.  He  married  in  Halifax,  and 
moved  into  the  bounds  of  Millftone  church.  He  was 
a  great  preacher  /and  bade  fair  ftill  to  be  much  great- 
er: but  for  reafons  unknown  to  man,  his  Maker  call- 
ed him  to  himfelf,  when  quite  young.  Hov/  un- 
fearchable  are  the  ways  of  God  !  He  was  brother  to 
William  Brame,  mentioned  in  our  account  of  the 
church  in  the  city  of  Richmond  o 

ARBOUR 

Was  taken  off  from  a  church  called  Miller's  ferry. 
William  Dotfon  took  the  care,  at  her  iirfl  conftitu- 
tion;  but  in  a  very  fhort  time  John  Atkinfon  was  or- 
dained, and  then  chofen  paflor.  He  has  continued 
to  difcharge  the  duties  of  that  office  ever  (ince.  They 
have  had  leveral  revivals  of  religion;  the  ir.oft  re- 
markable of  which  was  in  1801  ;  and  which  lafled 
about  two  years.  Upvvards  of  one  hundred  and  fif- 
ty were  baptized  ;  by  which,  the  church  was  fwelled 
to  a  larger  number  than  fhe  ever  had  previoufly. 
Two  churches.  Liberty  and  Miry  Creek,  were  taken 
off  from  this  church,  lince  the  revival,  by  which  her 
numbers  are  confiderabJy  Jeiiened.     Arbour  church 


RQANOKE  ASSOCIATION.  '^3 

has  never  had  lefs  than  two  preachers  within  her 
borders  ;  and  fome  of  them  men  of  the  m  ll  conlpi^ 
caous  talents.  Charles  Lovelace  and  William  Dof- 
fey  were  raifed  in  this  church.  At  prefent,  befidag 
their  paftor,  John  Kerr,  a  preacher  of  ceiebrit)^,  re- 
fides  among  them. 

Elder  John  Atkinfon,  who  has  been  their  paftor 
about  twenty  five  years,  is  a  preacher  of  popular  and 
very  ufeful  talents.  He  travels  fai;;  and  near,  and  has 
been  the  inftrument  in  God's  hand  of  turning  many 
to  righteoufnefs.  He  is  a  leading  man  in  the  AlToci- 
ation;  and  for  many  years  afted  as  clerk- 
Elder  John  Kerr  is  a  native  of  North  Carolina  ; 
and  at  about  nineteen  or  twenty  years  of  age,  believed 
and  was  baptized.  It  was  not  long  after  his  baptiim, 
before  he  commenced  public  fpeaking  He  foon 
commanded  attention.  His  fpeech  and  his  preach- 
ing was  in  demonftration  of  the  Spirit  and  of  power. 
He  fhortly  began  to  travel,  and  wherever  he  went  he 
was  highly  acceptable.  His  labours  were  blefled. 
Marrying  within  the  limits  of  Arbour  Church,  he 
became  a  permanent  refident.  Although  he  is  a 
member  here,  he  preaches  ftatedly  for  a  church  at 
fome  diftance  from  him.  If  Mr.  Kerr's  attention 
fhouldnot  be  divided  by  attemptmg  plans  irrelevant 
to  his  miniftry  -,  he  will  probably  live  and  die  one  of 
the  brighteft  lights  of  the  prefent  age,  and  receive  iq 
heaven  acorrefpondent  crown. 

POLECAt 

Is  a  fmall  and  rather  declining  church,  attended  at 
prefent,  by  eider  Atkinfon.  A  few  were  added  in 
the  revival  of  1802. 

MIRY  CREEK  and  LIBERTY 

Are  two  churches  taken  off  from  Arbour,  foon  af- 
ter the  great  revival.  We  are  not  informed  of  any 
thing  remarkable  among  them. 

Elder  Charles  liOVf^^-^^-.  --^^-r  of  r[.:e  former,  h 


Qoi  HISTORY    OK    THE 

fpokcn  of  by  his  acquaintances  as  a  good  niai.  ^li, 
u fef ul  preacher. 

DAN  RIVER  and  12  CORNER, 

Are  churches  not  diftinguiflied  for  any  thing  re^ 
markable,  7hey  have  no  regular  paflors,  but  Jiave 
the  ftated  attendance  of  neighbouFing  niinifters  men'. 
tioncd  in  their  proper  places. 

Dan  River  enjoyed  a  portion  of  tlie  refrejfhing  ihow- 
crs  of  1802. 

MOSSINGFORD. 

We  will  extradt  from  the  manufcript*  of  Mr.  WiU 
liams,  the  father  of  this  church,  the  chief  of  what 
we  fiiali  fay  refpedling  it      "They  were  an  arm," 
fays  he,  "  of  Sandy  Creek  church  until   1803,  but 
being  too  remote  to  attend  regularly,  they  were  con- 
ilituted  in  December,  1  8oj,  with  eleven  members. 
They  profpered  from  the  beginning ;  and  really  ex- 
cel in  harmony  and  union  of  the  Spirit :  and  although 
they  are  fituated  fo  as  to  mingle  continually  with 
Presbyterians  and  Methodifts;  a  number  of  whom  is 
in  thefe  parts :  yet,  to  the  praife  of  each  be  it  fpoken, 
that,    notwithllanding    the    diverfity    of  fentiment? 
toucl^ing  externals  with  the  former,  and  external? 
and  internals  with  the  latter;  no  rancour  nor  root  of 
bitternefs  feems  to  be  encouraged  by  either  party, 
but  a  friendly  intcrcourfe  maintained,  by  mingling  in 
focial  and  private  wofH^iip.     It  is  no  llrange  thing, 
to  fee   a  Presbyterian  and  a  Baptift  preacher  in  the 
fame  pulpit,  each  in  tl>pir  turn,  addreffing  the  con- 
gregation.    This  union  and  fociality,  carried  as  far 
asconfcienc©  will  admit,  is  an  ornament  to  religion." 
Thefe  are  the  words  of  elder  Williams ;  and  his  ac- 
tions fquared  with  the  principles  here  profefled.    He 
was  a  man  of  catholic  temper. 

*  Many  of  our  hiftorical  relations  of  the  churches  on  the  fouth 
of  James   river,  are  extracted  from  mar.ufpripts  written  "by  Mr. 
Williams,  aided  by  iMr.  Al'plund;   and  which  were  taken  for  the 
.purpofe  of  publifhing  a  Hiftory  of  the  Baptifts  of  Virginia 


ROANOKE   ASSOCIATION.  2^5 

Moflingford  fuflained  a  greai  lofs  in  the  death  of 
Mr.  Williams.  After  fome  years,  hov/ever,  they  ob- 
tained the  pafloral  fervices  of  Rev.  Bichard  Dahbsj 
t^^hofe  miniftry  among  them  has  received  many  I'eals. 

BUFFALOE. 

This  church  lies  in  Mecklenburg,  and  may  be 
faid  to  be  a  church  of  happy  ftanding.  They  enjoy- 
ed, at  different  times,  the  pailoral  labours  of  James 
Reed  in  his  laft  years,  of  Henry  Le fie r,  of  James 
Watkins,  and  now  of  Balaam  Izzel  a  man  of  God 
and  a  faithful  fervant  of  his  people.  Buffaloe  was 
one  of  the  favoured  places  in  the  time  of  the  great 
revivaL     Ninety  were  added. 

SENECA 

Is  a  young  and  thriving  church,  under  the  minil- 
terial  care  of  Nathaniel  Lovelace,  a  young  and  pro- 
mifing  preacher. 

MILL  CHURCH. 

This  church  was  planted  by  the  labours  of  Rev. 
John  Creel,  a  Regular  Baptift  preacher,  who  about 
176:^,  moved  from  Fauquier  into  thefe  parts.  In 
1770,  the  church  was  conftituted  according  to  the 
mode  of  the  Regular  Baotifls,  under  the  name  of  Birch 
Creek;  and  on  the  fame  year,  joined  the  Ketodton 
AiTociation.  They  continued  to  fend  delegates  to 
that  affociation,  until  1773;  when  finding  it  incon- 
venient to  attend  at  fo  great  a  diftance,  and  the  pre- 
judice betv/eeii  Regular  and  Separate^^  v/earing  away, 
they  were  difmiffed,  and  joined  the  Separates.  I'he 
names  Mill  and  Birch  creek,  appear  to  have  been 
often  confounded  in  the  minutes  of  the  Afibciation. 
They  had  additions  to  the  amount  of  one  hundred^ 
m  the  revival  of  i862. 

John  Creel,  their  firft  paflor  and  planter  of  the 
church,  was  a  moft  amiable  man,  and  <:.  very  fucceff- 
ful  preacher.     His  t^xcnts  thou,^-ii  not  Coufoicuous, 


256  <!ISTORV    UF    THL 

were  folid,  and  being  well  occupied,  with  his  five,.lic 
gained  other  five.  He  was  univerfally  beloved  by 
all  defcriptions  of  people.  At  about  52  years  of  age, 
while  aflifting  in  raifing  a  houfe,  he  was  accidental* 
ly  killed,  by  the  fall  of  a  log.  2V;;?e  ajul  chance  hap-- 
peneth  to  all  men. 

UPPER  BANISTER. 

This  church  has  been  much  more  numerous  than 
at  prefent* 

William  Blair,  their  prefent  paftor,  is  a  preacher 
that  holds  fafl  the  faithful  word,  as  he  ha:s  been 
taught.  He  has  already  done  much  good,  and  be- 
ing in  the  vigour  of  life,  bids  fair  to  do  much  more. 

COUNTY  LINE» 

This  is  an  old  church,  and  once  a  very  fiourifliing 
one.  Rev.  Samuel  Harrifs  was  their  iiril  paftor. 
Although  fhe  is  reprefented  in  the  table,  as  havmg 
commenced  her  church-ftate  in  177 1,  which  is  fub- 
ftantially  corred: ;  yet  the  name  is  not  to  be  found  in 
any  of  the  ailociation  minutes  for  many  years  after 
that  time.  Falls  Creek  appears  to  have  been  her 
original  name ;  and  which  was  probably  changed  by 
the  conftitution  of  new  churches.  She  is  the  off- 
spring of  old  Dan  river  church,  now  difiblved ;  and 
is,  herfelf,  the  mother  of  many  others.  Each  of  her 
pallors  are  mentioned  elfewhere, 

RICH  CREEK  and  UNION 

Were  the  offspring  and  care  of  the  pious  and  faith- 
ful Richard  Elliott ;  who  lived  refped:ed  and  died 
lamented.  He  was  fucceeded  in  the  care  of  Union, 
by  James  Tompkins,  mentioned  page  240.'  After 
Tompkins's  dereliction,  they  were  happy  enough  to 


•  Churches  ufed  fo  often  to  change  their  names,  that  it  is  now  really  difficult 
to  identiiy  an  old  chiircli.  In  the  minutes  of  the  General  Afibciation  for  i774« 
the  church  called  Banitter  was  the  largeft  in  Virginia  having  two  hundrcdmem- 
bers.     It  was  the  only  one  of  that  name. 


BbANOKE  ASSOCJATION,  257 

procure  the  paftoral  labours  of  Elder  David  Ndwlen. 
jBirch  Creek  was  a  partaker  in  a  fmall  degree,  of  the 
revival  of  1802,  thirty  were  added. 

BENNETT 's. 

This  church  was  the  fruit  of  elder  James  Kenny's 
miniftry,  who  alfo  was  their  firit  paftor.  Elder  Grif- 
fith Dickcrfon  fucceeded  Mr^  Kenney,  and  Mr.  Jen- 
kins fucceeded  Mr.  Dickerfon.  The  two  lafl  were 
not  regular  paflors ;  but  attended  them  as  fupplies. 

Rev.  James  Kenney,  their  first  paftor,  was  a  Me- 
thodift  preacher,  previous  to  his  being  baptized. 
When  he  firft  joined  the  Baptifts^  he  retained  fome 
tindture  of  Arminianifm.  This  created  lome  obfta- 
cles  in  his  ordination,  as  a  Baptift  preacher.  He, 
however,  was  ordained;  and  continued  many  years 
as  paftor.  The  queftion,  whether  an  Arminian 
preacher  ought  to  be  ordained,  was  agitated  here, 
with  fome  warmth  :  and  not  only  here,  but  in  many 
other  places.  It  is  certainly  a  queftion  of  no  fmall 
difficulty.  The^doubt,  we  conceive,  is  not,  whether 
it  is  lawful,  but,  whether  it  is  expedient.  To  de- 
cide queftions  of  expediency,  much  regard  ought  to 
be  paid  to  circumftances.  Exadtly  the  fame  decifion 
might  not  be  proper  in  different  places.  Paul  cir- 
cumcifed  Timothy  at  Lyftra^  but  would  not  cir- 
cumcife  Titus  at  Jerufalem. 

WHITETHORN. 

Of  this  church,  we  have  no  information  of  any 
thing  very  remarkable. 

Elder  Mathew  Bates,  their  father  and  firft  paftor, 
was  an  amiable  and  eminent  minifter  of  God's  word. 
The  few  years,  in  which  God  permitted  him  to  work 
in  his  vineyard,  were  well  employed.  He  died  at  an 
early  period  of  life,  lamented,  just  as  far  as  he  was 
known. 

Willis  Hopwood,  their  prefent  paftor,  is  a  young  ^ 

H3 


2/^8  -HIStORY    01*    Tilt 

iniin  of  a  lirong  and  ingenious  mind.     May  he  hav« 
a  double  portion  oFhis  predecelTor's  fpirit. 

LOWER  BANISTER 

Is  one  of  the  largeft  and  moft  refpedtable  churches, 
not  only  in  Roanoke,  hut  in  any  other  place. 
-  Mr.  Jenkins,  who  has  been  their  pailor  from  the 
beginning,  is  a  minifler  indeed.  He  was  a  native  of 
Fauquier  county,  and  was  baptized  previous  to  his 
removal  to  Pittfylvania.  He  was  ordained  to  the 
miniftry,  1794;  and  has  been  one  of  the  moft  fuc- 
cefsful  preachers  ever  fmce.  Several  churches  have 
been  planted  by  his  labours ;  and  all  thofe  which  he 
attends,  feem  to  profper,  more  or  lefs.  He  has  a 
mind  fufceptible  of  great  improvement ;  and  although 
for  want  of  opportunity,  when  young,  his  education 
was  rather  fmall ;  yet  his  literary  attainments,  ac- 
quired by  dint  of  clofe  attention,  are  very  confider* 
able.  A  few  years  pall  he  publilhed  a  treatile  on 
believers'  baptifm,  and  one  on  final  perfeverance  ; 
both  of  which  difplay  confiderable^ngenuity,  and 
the  latter  was  much  admired. 

Lower  Baniftcr  enjoyed  the  revival  of  1801  and 
1802,  beyond  any  of  her  lifters.  Two  hundred  and 
fifty  new  born  fons  and  daughters  were  added  to  her 
former  family, 

STINKING  RIVER 

Is  the  offspring  of  the  excellent  Mr.  Bates.  Elder 
Griffith  Dickerfon,  their  prefent  paftor,  though  a 
man  of  fome  age,  has  not  been  a  great  many  years  in 
the  pulpit.  He  is  an  old  revolutionary  foldier.  He 
fpent  his  time,  v/hen  young,  in  honourably  fighting 
for  his  country:  his  lall:  days  he  devotes  to  the  ftill 
more  honourable  occupation  of  marfhalling  the  hoft 
of  Israel.  His. prefent  weapons,  however,  are  not 
carnal  but  mighty.  As  a  preacher,  when  ardently 
'•^^ngag^ed  he  displays  talents  and  animation,  by  which. 


ROANOKE  ASSOCIATION.  (259 

kis  hearers  take  knowledge  of  him,  that  he  has  been 
with  J  ejus.  - 

SHOCKOE 

Is  rather  a  thriving  church.  They  have  had  from 
the  iirft,  ^s  paftor,  elder  David  Nowlen,  If  we  may 
judge  of  him  from  the  various  appointments  for 
presbyteries,  committees,  &c.  thrown  upon;  him  by 
the  AfTociation;  we  muft  fay,  hje  appears  to  be  a  fer*' 
vant  ready  to  every  good  word  and  work. 

DOUBLE  CREEK,  ZION  HILL,  AND 
STEWART'S  CREEK, 

Are  fmall  churches  in  this  AfTociation ;  concerning 
which  we  have  not  learned  any  thing  remarkable. 

Elder  George  Roberts,  now  a  relident  of  North 
Carolina,  in  Flat  River  Aflbciationj  and  who  now 
a6ts  there  aslmoderator ;  was  once  an  sl&iWq  and  fuc- 
cefsful  preacher  in  V^irginia.  He  profelTed  religion 
ftiortly  after  the  rife  of  the  Baptifts  in  Virginia  ;  and 
putting  his  hand  to  the  plough,  has  never  yet  looked 
back.  He  greatly  affiftedin  accomplifhing  the  great 
eccleliaftical  revolution  in  the  (late.  lie  often  at- 
tends the  Roanoke  AfTociation,  and  is  n.feful  in  their 
i;punci]s. 


^60  HISTORY    or   THE 

TABLE  OF  STRAWBERRY  ASSOCIATION. 


2   B 

=r?i 

Names  of 
Churches 

?? 

So 

•    o 

3  ** 

s 

By  whom 
planted. 

Former 
pastors. 

Present 
pastors. 

Counties. 

Goole 

N.Shrews- 

N. Slu-ewf- 

W.  Left- 

Creek 

100 

bury 

bury  and 

wich 

Bedford; 

I^ittle  • 

N.  Shrewf. 

J.Preltan 

Otter 

'797 

90 

2  00 

bury 

I.  Fuquay 

J.Moorman 

do 

Otter 

100 

J.  Anthony, 

J.Anthony 

J.  Anthony 

do 

Morth 

Folk  of 

Otter 

J.  Hatcher 

J.  Hatcher 

G.  Rucker 

do, 

Staunton 

River 

40 

W.  Johnfon 

W.  Johnfon 

J.  Black 

jvi 

Beaver 

Dam 

1801 

36 

180 

J.Prefton 

J.  Prefton 

J.  Burnet 

do 

Suck 

Spring 

1805 

28 

I.  Fuquay 

J.  Carter  & 

none 

do 

Timber 

I. Fuquay 

Ridge 

1805 

40 

90 

I.  Fuquay 

I.  Fuquay 

1.  Fuquay 

do 

Difficult 

11 

A.  Weeks 

A.  Weeks 

A.  Weeks 

do 

Buffaloe 

26 

N.  Shrewf- 

N.  Shrev^f- 

Rock 

bury 

bury 

none 

Rockbridge 

Spring 

1804 

30 

35 

W.  Moorman 

W.  Moor- 

none 

Bottttourt 

MiU 

man 

Creek 

1804 

3* 

38 

W.  Moorman 

W.  Moor- 

none 

do 

Gills 

man 

Creek 

20 

30 

W.  John  Ion 

J.  Fears 

W.  Turner 

Franklin 

Chapel 

—  Douglas 

J.  Pedigo 

do 

Bethel 

1804. 

It 

J.  Pedigo 

J.  Pedigo 

J .  Afliworth 

do 

Black 

Water 

1804 

6z 

65 

W.  Turner 

W.  Turnei 

W.  Turner 

do 

Pig  River 

»773 

28 

R.  fiall 

R.  Hall 

J.  Pedigo 

do 

Snowr 

Creek 

R.  Stockton 

R.  Stockton 

J.  Pedigo 

do 

Snow 

Creek 

and  Pig 

River 

J.  Afhvv'Orlh 

do 

Smith's 

River 

R.  Hall 

R.  Hall 

J.  Pedigo 

Patrick 

Jack's 

Creek 

1804 

J.  Pedigo 

J.  Pedigo 

S.Hubbard, 

I,eather 

&c. 

dio 

Wood 

1772 

R.  Stockton 

R.  Stockton 

J.  King 

Henry 

Beaver 

Creek 

J.Anthony 

J.King,    ^ 

Burton's 

&c.        ^ 

[.       do 

Cretk 

1806 

30 

3« 

J.  Anthony 

J.Anthony 

J.Anthony 

Camphpn 

STRAiVBERRY  ASSOCIATION.  261 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

History  of  the  Strawberrif  Afsociation,  including  the 
Sketches  of  Churches. 

It  appears  from  the  mofl  authentic  documents,  that 
this  aflbciation  was  conftituted  previous  to  the  dilTa- 
lutionof  the  General  Aflbciation,  and  about  the  year 
1776.  For  at  a  meeting  of  a  General  AfTociation,  in 
the  year  I78?;  as  appears  from  the  minutes;  the 
Strawberry  Aflbciation  correfponded.  Tht  entry  is 
made  in  the  following  words,  uiz.  "  Robert  Stock- 
ton, a  meflbnger  from  the  Strawberry  Afiociation 
with  a  letter,  was  admitted  to  his  feat."  And  again, 
towards  the  clofe  of  the  minutes, ^is  the  following  en- 
try: **  The  clerk  is  directed  to  write  a  letter  to  the 
Strawberry  Aflbciatio  1,  in  anfwer  to  theirs;  with  a 
copy  of  our  proceeding's." 

The  firft  labourers  in  the  miniftry,  in 'this  diftrid:, 
appear  to  have  been  the  two  Murphies,  viz.  William 
and  Jofeph,  Samuel  Harrifs,  and  Dutton  Lane-'  Soon 
after  the  rife  of  the  Baptifts  in  thefe  parts,  there  were 
feveral  preachers  called  to  the  work.  The  mofl:  dif- 
tinguiflied,  and  the  moft  ufeful  of  whom,  was  Ro- 
bert Stockton.  Through  the  indefatigable  labours 
of  him  and  others,  the  caufe  of  religion  flounflied  to 
a  confiderable  extent.  The  churches  from  the  bounds 
of  this  aflbciation  met  in  the  General  Atfociation,  un- 
til the  diviflon  in  1776;  after  which,  they  probably 
continued  as  an  independent  aflbciation ;  and  corref- 
ponded with  the  General  Aflbciation  only  by  meflen- 
gers  fent  from  the  Aflbciation. 

When  this  dillrict  firfl:  became  independent,  it 
mufl:  have  had  very  few  churches.  For  in  17  >, 
there  were  only  eleven  churches,  and  ten  ordained 
preachers.  From  1787  to  1793,  the  increafe  both 
of  churches  and  preachers,  was  very  great.  For,,af-4» 
ter  fl:riking  off  New  River  difl:rict,  there  remained 


202  UiSTOIlY   01'    THL 

fixtecn  ordained  miniilers  in  Strawberry.  In  1798, 
after  Mayo  was  taken  pfF,  there  remained  twelve 
churches  and  eight  ordained  preachers.  In  1808, 
they  had  twenty  four  churches  and  fixtecn  ordained 
preachers.  From  which  it  appears  they  juft  doubled 
their  number  both  of  preachers  and  churches  in  ten 
years.  k- 

While  Mr.  Stockton  was  among  them,  he  gene- 
rally ad:ed  as  moderator.  Of  late  years,  that  office 
falls  fometimes  to  one  and  fometimes  to  another. 
Richard  Stockton  is  at  prefent  their  ftanding  clerk. 

This  afTociation  when  firft  conftituted,  included  all 
the  churches  in  Virginia  on  the  fouth  fide  of  James 
river  nnd  above  the   upper  line  of  Roanoke  (then 
Middle  Diftrift).    ,.When  A'ew  River  was  taken  off, 
it  was  agreed  that  the  Blue  ridge  (liould  be  the  divi- 
ding line  between  that  and  Strawberry.     When  Mayo 
was  taken  off,  it  was  agreed  that  tlie  boundary  be- 
tween that  and  Strawberry,  fliould  be  as  follow,  viz. 
''Beginning  at  elder  Stephen's  church,  leaving  it  on 
the  fouth  fide  -,  thence  to  Smith's  river  at  the  mouth 
of  Beaver  creek;  thence  up  the  faid  river  to  the  Tar- 
rarat  mountain."     They  have  not  printed  their  mi- 
nutes of  late   years.     This    circumllance   added    to 
fome  other  caules,  prevented  our  obtaining  as  full  do- 
cuments as  was  necelfary  in  Qrder  to  give  as  perfect  a 
relation  of  her  proceedings,  as  of  other  alTociations, 
The  proceedings  of  the  Afiociation,  however,  as  ikv 
as  we  can  learn,  have  been  regular  and  peaceable.   We 
muft  now  proceed  to  the  sketches  of  churches ;  begin- 
ning with 

GOOSE  CREEK. 

The  great  revival  in  the  churches  of  Roanoke  Af- 
fociation,  in  1802,  fpread  into  Strawberry  ;  and  con- 
tinued four  or  five  years.  Goofe  Creek  fliared  large- 
ly in  the  divine  bleffing.  It  commenced  among  them 
in  1802,  and  continued  about  two  years;  in  which 
time,  about  one  hundred  were  added  to  the  church. 


STRA^^V^ERPvY  ASSOCIATION.  S(i^(. 

Their  number,  however,  was  lefiened  by  the  cdnfti- 
tution  of  Beaver  Dam,  in  1804.  Two  young  preach- 
ers were  raifed  in  the  revival,  viz.  William  Leftwich, 
their  prefent  paftor,*  and  Jofliua  Burnet:  both  of 
whom  have  been  fince  ordained. 

OTTER 

Iff  a  church  of  refpedable  ftanding.  In  1804,  a 
'^reat  revival  arofe  in  this  church,  and  continued 
about  two  years.  Many  v/ere  baptized,  and  a  new 
church  conftituted  from  them  called  Burton's  Creek. 
Elder  John  Anthony  has  beei>  the  paftor  of  this 
church  for  many  years.  Although  he  has  done  much, 
he  is  not  yet  weary  in  well  doing.  He  does  not 
travel  extenlively,  but  is  defirous  to  keep  his  own 
vineyard  well  d  re  fled. 

LITTLE  OTTER. 

The  revival  feems  to  have  been  more  extenfive' 
here,  than  in  any  church.  The  windows  of  heaven 
were  opened,  towards  the  clofe  of  the  year  1801; 
abundant  fhowers of  refrefhing  rain  were  poured  forth 
upon  them  during  the  years  1802  and  1803.  As 
many  as  two  hundred  and  twenty  five  perfons  were 
baptized;  three  preachers  thruft  into  the  harveft,  viz. 
John  Carter,  William  Moorman,  and  James  H.  L. 
Moorman ;  and  two  new  churches  conftituted,  viz. 
Timber  Ridge,  and  Suck  Spring.  The  members  of 
Little  Otter  live  in  and  about  the  tov/n  called  Li- 
berty, 

NORTH  FOPvK  OF  OTTER. 

No  informatian  has  been  received,  refpedling  this 
hurch,  except  what  may  be  fee n  in  the  table, 

*  In  treating  of  churches,  it  is  very  deferable  to  cxlilbit  Pnovt 
.^haracleristics  of  their  ministers  ;  and,  indeedj  of  distinguiilied 
private;  members  ;  but  our  information  of  chis  affociation  is  fo 
conrru6^ed^  '^^'  -ministers  of  whom  vve  can  fay,  as'^r* 

thine. 


264  HISTORY  OF   THE 

STAUNTON. 

This  church,  though  now  fniall,  participated  in 
the  revival.  Elder  John  Black  and  elder  John  Jen- 
kins were  chief  agents  in  the  work. 

BEAVER  DAM,  SUCK  SPRING,  AND 
TIMBER  RIDGE, 

Are  all  new  churches,  eonftituted  lince  the  revi- 
vival,  and  all  mentioned  in  treating  of  the  mother 
churches. 

DIFFICULT  CREEK 

Is  a  fmall  church,  of  which  we  know  nothing 
more  than  what  may  be  feen  in  the  table. 

BUFFALOE 

i,#s  the  only  Baptift  church  in  Rockbridge.  A  part 
n3f  her  members  forriierly  lived  in  Bottetourt.  In 
1803,  God  lifted  up  the  light  of  his  countenance 
upon  them;  and  continued  to  be  gracious,  in  adding 
to  them  fuch  as  Hiould  be  faved,  for  about  two  years 
and  a  half;  until  about  feventy  live  were  baptized. 
Rock  Spring  and  Mill  Creek  were  taken  off  from 
Buffaloe.  A  good  preacher  is  one  of  the  beft  gifts  of 
heaven  to  a  pious  people ;  but  if  he  unfortunately 
forgets  his  facred  charadter,  and  neglects  to  keep  his 
body  under,  and  thereby  becomes  a  caflaway;  the 
affliction  is  then  more  than  commenfurate  v/ith  the 
former  bleffing.  Buffaloe  found  it  neceffary  to  ex- 
clude her  once  ufeful  minifter. 

ROCK  SPRING  and  MILL  CREEK 

Were  conftituted  from  Buffaloe,  and  were  attended 
flatedly  by  her  paftor,  and  who  was  alfo,  in  a  degree, 
father  to  thefe  churches.  His  backfliding  of  courfe 
was  very  afflicting  to  them.  Their  profpeds  are  not 
promifing. 


^TRAWfiERRY  AS^dClATlON.  565 

GILL'S  CREEK. 

This  church  was  alfo  revived,  in  1 802,  under  ths 
miniftry  of  elder  Wilfon  Turner.  A  confiderable 
number  were  added.  The  church  called  Black  Wa- 
ter was  a  daughter  of  Gill's  Creek. 

PIG  RIVER  AND  SNOW  CREEK         ,^ 

Is  a  church  of  good  {landing,  attended  hy  elder  Johu 
Afli worth.  The  reader  will  recoiled:  that  in  our  account 
of  Sandy  Creek  church,  Meherrin  Aflbclation,  wg 
mentioned  that  John  Afliworth,  a  preacher,  moved 
with  a  party  from  Sandy  Creek  into  Franklin  county ; 
and  there  formed  a  new  church,  compofed  chiefly  of 
thofe  that  had  moved  with  him.  Mr.  Afliworth  has 
continued  to  be  a  fleady  and  ufeful  minifter. 

CHAPEL,  BETHEL,  BLACK  WATER, 
and  PIG  RIVER. 

Ot  thefe  four  churches  we  know  nothing  more 
than  can  be  found  in  the  table,  and  in  what  is  faid 
of  them  in  treating  of  other  churches. 

SNOW  CREEK 

Has  now  no  refident  paflor,  but  was  for  many 
years  under  the  paftoral  care  of  elder  Robert  Stock-. 
Ton  now  fefiding  in  Kentucky. 

Mr.  Stockton  is  a  native  of  Albemarle  county,  and 
was  born  December  12th,  1743.  He  became  reli- 
gioufly  imprefTed  while  a  young  man  ;  and  had  join- 
ed the  communion  of  the  Prelbyterians,  among 
whom,  however,  he  was  brought  up  :  but  afterwards 
forming  an  acquaintance  with  fome  of  the  Baptiil 
preachers,  he  was  convinced  of  the  impropriety  of 
infant  baptifm,  and  was  baptized  by  Rev.  Samuel 
Harrifs,  anno  1771.  After  his  baptifm,  he  quickly 
commenced  preiigher.  His  labours  were  Welled;  and 
many  churche^j^her  diredly   or  indire(^ly,   arofe 

12 


260  UISTORY   OF    TliL 

through  his  inftrumentality.  In  his  communications 
to  the  editor,  he  fiates  that  he  was  at  the  conftitution 
of  eleven  churches  in  the  Strawberry  Aflbciation. 
Ahhough  Ills  ufefulnefs  was  Co  obvious  in  this  coun- 
try, and  although  he  was  among  the  richeft  men  in 
thofe  parts,  his  mind  was  not  at  reft.  From  fomc 
caufe,  not  known  to  the  compiler,  he  moved  to  Ken- 
plucky,  and  fettled  within  the  limits  of  Green  River 
Miirociation.  To  leave  a  people,  among  whom  his 
hilniftry  had  teen  manifeftly  and  extenlively  owned 
of  God>  iff  a  hazardous  thing  for  a  preacher  of  the 
gofpel;  and  ought  never  to  be  done  upon  flight  or 
trivial  grounds  or  for  the  lake  of  worldly  emolument, 
nor  Vv'Ithout  strong  marks  of  the  divine  approbation. 
Mr.  Stockton  had  always  an  inclination  to  travel ; 
iind  perhaps  no  man  ever  trav;elled  to  greater  advan- 
tage. For  polTeffing  an  invincible  boldnefs»  it  was 
quite  unimportant  to  him  what  kind  of  houfe  he  went 
to,  whether  faint  or  iinner,  friend  or  oppofer.  He 
never  failed,  wherever  he  went,  to  enter  largely  into 
religious  converfation ;  and  having  great  command  of 
his  temper,  and  great  prefencc  of  mind,  he  often  made 
religious  impreliions,  upon  minds  previ&ufly  fwallow- 
ed  up  by  prejudice.  It  was  alfo  an  invariable  rule 
with  him,  to  propofe,  and  if  permitted,  to  perform 
family  worihip.  In  doing  this,  he  would  often  ex- 
hort a  half  houi*  or  more,  to  the  family.  It  is  very 
entertaining  to  hear  Mr.  Stockton  relate  the  various 
adventures  of  his  life  respeding  things  of  this  fort. 
,  His  talents,  as  a  preacher,  are  hardly  up  to  medi- 
ocrity ;  and  no  man  thinks  lefs  of  them  than  himfelf : 
but  his  talent  for  exhortation  is  very  confiderable. 
The  way,  by  the  bye,  that  he  has  done  fo  much  good, 
has  not  been  tlirough  his  great  or  numerous  talents, 
but  by  occupying  fuch  as  he  had  in  an  induftrious 
manner.  If  his  ftrokes  were  not  very  heavy,  he  gave 
the  more  of  them :  if  the  iron  was  dull,  he  put  tc, 
more  ilrength .  >t;t^ 


STRAWBERRY  ASSOCIATION.      26? 

SMITH'S  RUN  and  jACK's  CREEK. 

Very  little,  unnoticed  in  the  table,  has  reached  uc. 
refpedting  thefe  churches. 

Jofeph  Pedigo,  the  paftor  of  Smith's  Run,  as  far  an 
we  can  hear,  is  a  man  of  weight  in  reiigious  mat-* 
ters,  in  thofe  parts.  He  fometimes  adts  as  modera- 
tor of  the  aflbcktion. 

LEATHERWOOD 

Was  forrnerly  under  tlib  care  of  Robert  Stockton^ 
but  now  of  John  King. 

Elder  King  has  been  already  mentioned  in  treating 
of  Meherrin  church  in  Meherrin  Aflbciation.  Few 
men  open  their  mouths,  in  the  pulpit,  more  to  the 
purpofe  than  Mr.  King.  His  language  is  ftrong 
and  nervous,  his  ideas  clear  and  peripicuous,  his 
manner  warm  and  animating,  and  his  countenance 
grave  and  folemn.  Though  modeft  and  unafTumirig 
out  of  the  pulpit,  when  he  afcends  the  facred  ftand, 
he  fpeaks  as  one  having  authority ;  he  lifts  up  his 
voice  and  commands  all  men  to  repent.  His  life  has 
been  an  honour  to  his  Mafler's  caufe ;  and  when  he 
has  ceafed  to  fafFer  here,  doubtlefs  his  death  will  be 
glorious. 

JBEAVER  CREEK  and  BURTON  CREEK.   . 

Of  thefe  churches  ws  have  no  information  not  al- 
ready detailed. 


208 


UJSTORY    OF    THE 


TABLE  OF  NEW  RIVER  ASSOCIATION. 


en   n 

S  = 

-a 

Names  of 
Churches 

-  •  £ 

So 

5  3 

By  vhom 
plautfcd. 

Former 
pasturs. 

Present 

pastors. 

Counties 

s 

3 

s 

B^'thei 

1774-    a»   .  7« 

■ 

S.GoodwinjJ.  polack    | 

VV.  Howard 

Wythe 

Salem 

1784 

*5 

35 

N.  Hall 

W.  Howard 

Montgor 
meiy 

Greafy 

Creek 

I75?9 

16 

13 

R. Jones 

R,  Jones 

R.  Jones 

do 

Meadow 

, 

Cieek 

»78S 

28 

17 

J  Lawrence 

J.Lawrence 

\y.  Howard 

do 

North 

Tork  of 

Roanoke 

180X 

*7 

z8 

J.  Mafliews 

J.  Mathews 

I.Rentfro 

do 

Weft  Fork 

1803 

30 

>8 

J.  Jones 

J.  Jones 

J.  Jones                do 

Tine  Creek 

1803 

40 

5» 

W.Howard 

P.  Howard 

do 

Sinking 

»7 

33 

Cieek 

1796 

J.  Stanley 

J.  Stanley 

Giles 

Catawba 

17S0 

20 

55 

S.  Goodwin      none         |Botletourt 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Ilislor^  of  the  New  Rivci"  AJsociation,  indiiding  the 
Sketches  of  Churches, 

This  Aflbciation  was  taken  oft  from  the  Strawber- 
ry, and  formed  into  a  feparate  ailbciation  in  1793. 
They  met,  for  the  iirfi:  time,  in  Odtober,  1794,  and 
organized  themfelves.  Their  number  of  churches 
at  iirft  was  only  (cw^n  ov  eight.  The  dividing  line 
between  this  and  the  Strawberry,  is  the  Blue  ridge. 
It  may  be  feen  by  the  table,  in  what  part  of  the  ftate 
the  didrid  lies.  The  bufinefs  of  the  AfTociation  has 
been  conducted  in  prudence,  peace,  and  harmony ^  It 
appears  that  the  Baptift  intcrcft  pievails  more  than 
that  of  any  other  religious  fociety.  There  being  on- 
ly two  or  three  Presbyterian  congregations  in  the 
diilrid:,  and  but  few  Methodifl:  clafles.  Between 
thefe  and  the  Baptifts,  a  good  underftanding  fubfifls. 
Infomuch,  that  a  confiderable  party  were  of  opinion 
in  the  AfTociation,  that   they  ought   to    invite   the 


NEVy  RIVER  ASSOCIATIOJNT,  269 

.  Presbyterian  and  Methodifl:  minlnifters  to  fit  with 
them  in  their  aflbciations,  as  confellors ;  but  not  to 
vote.  This  fubjedt  underwent  a  lengthy  inveftiga- 
tion,  and  linally  was  decided  againll  inviting.  Ttiis 
was  affuredly  a  very  prudent  determination,  ift,  be- 
caufe  it  might  tend  to  confulion  ;  and  2dly,  becaufc 
it  would  probably  rather  interrupt,  than  promote 
friendfhip.  Seeing,  in  moll  cafes,  as  it  refpecfts  the 
intercourfe  between  man  and  man,  too  much  famili- 
arity often  ends  in  ilrife.  We  fhuuld  be  more  likely 
tip  continue  in  peace  with "^  a  neighbour,  whom  v/e 
tre-ited  with  the  diftant  refped.  due  to  a  ne%hbour, 
than  if  we  were  to  introduce  him  to  our  private  do- 
meflic  concerns.  It  cannot,  however,  but  be  earncllly 
delired,  that  party  animofity  fhould  be  mollified  by 
every  rational  method.  Party  rage  is  never  t'^e  ef- 
£t&  of  true  religion.  Well  might  Paul  ask  the  Co- 
rinthian partizans,  *'  /\re  ye  not  carnal?"  Stedfafl- 
nefs  in  our  own  principles,  and  charity  towards  thofc 
of  others,  are  not  inconliftent  with  each  other. 

The  minutes  of  the  New  River  Ailbciation,  have 
never  been  printed.  Hence  it  was  not  poffible  to  pro- 
cure them  for  every  feflion  ;  nor  indeed  is  it  import- 
ant. We  have  them  for  four  years ;  from  which  the 
character  of  the  Aflbciation  may  be  underilood.  The 
Calviniftic  fentiments  are  the  dodrines  of  this  AiTo- 
ciation.  Yet  there  are  not  wanting  lome,  v/ho  hold 
fome  or  all  of  the  Arminian  tenets.  Their  views 
upon  this  point,  may  be  gathered  from  the  following 
query,  with  its  folution,  viz.  Is  it  right  to  license 
any  man  to  preach  the  gofpel,  v/ho  holds  with  Ar- 
minian tenets  ?     Anfwer  :  By  no  means. 

At  an  ufTociation  holden  at  Pine  Creek  meeting 
bouie,  fecond  Saturday  in  Odober,  1803  :  William 
Howard  was  appointed  moderator,  and  Jofeph  Rent- 
fro  clerk. 

The  following  query  was  introduced,  viz.  Ought 
not  experienced  minillers  of  the  gofpel  to  take  under 
their  patronage,  the  young  and  illiterate  preachers? 


270  IlISTOliY    01-     iiii:- 

To  which  it  was  anfwered,  Yes:  and  teach  them  true 
principles  and  found  dodrines  :   and  fet  good  exam- 
ples before  them  :  and  fay,  Be  ye  followers  of  us  ae 
we  are  of  Chrift  Jcfus,  Could  the  principle  contain- 
ed in  this  folution  be  carried  into  efFedl,  by  lome  re- 
gular and  methodical  plan,  it  would  produce  the  moft 
iovereign  relief  to  the  Baptift  miniftry  in  Virginia. 
It  has  been  a  general  complaint  againfl  the  Baptifts 
of  Virginia,  that  they  fandtion  jiien  for  the  miniAry, 
who  do  not  poffefs  the  neceflary  qualifications.  Thefe 
complaints,  without  doubt,  have  often  fprung  from 
a  '  crrupt  taRe;  and  alfo  from  men  of  refined  minds, 
who  did  not  make  the  proper  allowance  for  hearers 
of  lefs  refinement.     Yet  with  all  due  allowance,  the 
complaint  is  fometimes  well  founded.     The  evil  has 
arifen,  partly  from  nqt  making  proper  diftindlions 
us  to  gifts  j  lb  as  to  authorife  men  to  preach,  who  at 
moft  only  had  the  gift  of  exhortation  ;  and  partly 
from  a  falfe  delicacy  in  fetting  up  weak  preachers, 
where  the   people  were   in  expedlation  of  hearing 
others  more  capable.     If  then,  fome  regular  mode 
of  examining  and  introducing  young  preachers  could 
be  devifed,  many  weak  gifts  would  be  improved,  and 
become  refpcdable.     Add  to  thjs  fome  regulation, 
as  to  the  kind  of  qualifications   each  man  may  pro- 
perly claim,  as  well  as  the  time  and  manner  of  exer- 
cifing  his  talent ;  and  it  is  not  unlikely  the  inconve- 
nience would  be  lefTened,  if  not  quite 'removed.     In 
England,  and  indeed  in  fome  parts  of  America,  nc 
man  is  allowed  to  preach,    unlefs  he  first  make  hir, 
wifhes  known  to  fome  of  the  elders  of  the  church ; 
they  then  give  him  a  private  hearing,  and  encourage 
or  Hop  him,  according  to  their  opinion  of  his  qualifi- 
cations.    A   middle  courfe  between   that   and  the 
Virginia  mode,  might  be  ufeful.     At  leafl,  inhibit 
any  from  preaching  at  other  than  an  appointment 
made  for  himfelf,  until  he  be  licenfed  by  the  church : 
and  indeed,  as  to  licenfed  oi  ordained  preachers,  the 
wiihes  of  an  audience  ought  to  be  coniulted,  iWpr: 


NEW   mVER  ASSOCIATION.  Til 

lerence  to  the  fenfibillty  of  an  individual.  At  thei(* 
-iflbciation  for  October,  1804,  the  knotty  nd  .ntri- 
catc  doiflrine  of  fupporting  preachers,  cr  rather  of 
minifterial  contributions,  was  brought  forwa;  d  in  the 
following  query  :  Are  the  poor  bound  by  the  gofpel 
to  give  to  the  rich,  for  preaching  the  gofpel  ?  An- 
fwer.  The  Lord  loveth  a  cheerful  giver,  according  to 
what  he  hath,  and  not  according  to  what  he  hath  not. 

All  things  conlidered,  a  better  anfwer  could  not 
probably  have  been  invented. 

The  circular  letters  annexed  to  the  minutes  of  this 
AfTociation,  are  very  excellent ;  and  but  for  the  want 
of  room,  extradls  from  fome  of  them  would  have 
been  infer  ted. 

Rev.  ¥/iliiam  Howard  has  generall\^  a  fled  as 
moderator,  and  Mr.  Jofeph  Rentfro  as  clerk. 

W~e  will  now  attend  to*the  churches  in  this 
diflri6t ;  beginning  with 

BETHEL. 

This  church  was  the  firil  conllituted,  and  of  cooric 
he  oldefl:  in  the  Aflbciation.  We  have  not  learned, 
.by  v/hofe  labours  this  church  was  $rfl  planted,  it  is 
quite  probable  that  it  was  by  removal  of  the  firit 
members  from  fome  of  the  interior  counties.  It  had 
no  regular  fupplies  or  paflor  for  feventeen  years  after 
the  conftitution.  The  prefumption  is,  that  if  the 
church  had  been  raifed  by  the  labours  of  any  mi- 
niiler  viiiting  thofe  parts,  that  fuch  miniiler  would 
have  fupplied  them  regularly.  Their  firft  regular 
preacher  was  Mr.  Samuel  Good \vin,  who  m.oved  in- 
to their  bounds,  and  became  their  pafior.  He  con- 
tinued among  them  about  i!^n  years,  and  then  re- 
turned to  Ciitawba,  from  whence  he  firfb  came  to 
Bethel.  Bethel  tiien  obtaii-ed  the.  attendance  of  Mr. 
Howard,  who  preached  for  them,  once  a  month,  until 
a  few  yeafs  pa'ir,  when  old  age  and  infirmit'es  put  it 
out  of  his  power.  While  Mr.  Howard  had  the  care 
■)!  the  church,  abo^it  the  year  1804,  a  comfortable 


27ii  UISTOUY    UF    TiiD 

revival  took  place,  when  the  church  iiicreafed  from 
fixteen  to  feventy  eight.  Since  Mr.  Howard  has 
declined  his  viiits  to  them,  they  have  procured  the 
fervices  of  Rev.  John  Black,  who  it  is  faid,  is  aa 
able  preacher. 

SALEM 

"NVas  condituted,  as  may  be  (ecn  by  the  table,  iu 
178 1;  and  fell  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Nathan 
Hall.  He  retained  the  charge  about  fix  years,  and 
was  then  lilenced  for  mifcondu<5l.  After  about  four  or 
five  years,  the  church  turned  their  attention  to  Mr. 
Howard,  who  has  been  their  paftor  ever  fince.  In 
the  year  1802,  God  viiited  them  with  a  goodly  time. 
Many  precious  fouls  were  turned  to  righteoufnefs. 
When  Mr.  Howard  took  the  care  of  them,  their 
number  was  thirteen:  the  revival  raifed  them  to  fev- 
enty nine.  In  1803,  they  difmiffed  forty  members 
for  the  purpofe  of  forming  a  new  church;  which  was 
called  Pine  Creek. 

Rev.  William  Howard,  paftor  of  Salem  church 
and  moderator  of  the  Aftbciation,  is  a  venerable  old 
man,  wlio  feems  refolved  to  exert  the  laft  remain^  of 
life  and  ftrength,  in  advancing  the  glory  of  him  who 
has  called  him  from  darknefs  to  light,  How  ufeful 
are  fuch  men,  to  go  out  and  in,  before  the  young  and 
lefs  experienced. 

GREASY  CREEK 

Was  raifed  under  the  labours  of  the  Rev.  Robert 
Jones.  About  the  year  1803,  God  revived  his  work 
among  them,  chiefly  through  the  miniftry  of  Mr. 
Jelle  Jones  fon  of  Robert,  a  young  and  ardent  preach- 
er whofc  labours  were  accepted  of  his  mafter,  fo  that 
their  number  increafed  to  forty  three  members  :  thir- 
ty of  thefe  were  taken  off  in  order  to  form  a  new 
church ;  which  was  called  Weft  Fork :  to  which 
Jeile  Jones  became  paftor.  Mr.  Shadrach  Roberts 
is  a  iicenfed  preacher  in  this  church. 


Hew  river  association.  273 

MliADOW  CREEK 

Was  formed,  partly  out  of  members  wLo  moved 
hither  froih  the  flateof  New  York,  and  partly  of  na- 
tives* Rev.  John  Lav^rence  became  their  paltor. 
He  had  been  a  miniller,  for  many  years,  in  the  ftate 
of  New  -'ork  ;  was  an  eminent  fervant  of  Chrift,  and 
a  pious  and  fenfible  man.  His  labours  were  not  very 
much  blelTed  after  he  moved  to  Virginia.  Some  dif- 
turbance  happening  in  the  church,  and  Mr.  Law- 
rence being  obvioully  in  dotage,  was  rather  indifcreet 
in  efpouhng  one  of  the  parties,  ib  as  to  give  fome  dis- 
content to  the  body  of  the  church :  in  confequence 
of  which,  added  to  his  incapacity  through  dotage  and 
infirmities,  the  church  difmifled  him  from  his  paito- 
ral  charge.  Soon  after,  he  v/as  taken  ill,  and  God 
difmifled  him  to  the  church  triiimphant.  tie  was 
eighty  years  of  age  when  he  died.  After  his  dif- 
miffion,  elder  Hov/ard  preached  for  them  ftatedly, 
and  God  poured  out  his  ,fpirit  upon  them.  The 
church  increafed  from  fixteen  to  fixty  four.  Elder* 
Howard,  through  infirmity,  is  not  able  to  viiit  them 
ftatedly,  as*  formerly ;  but  he  attends  them  occa- 
lionally  and  adminiflers  the  ordinances.  Robert 
Simpkins  is  a  licenfed  preacher  in  the  bounds  of  thic 
churcli. 

NORTH  FORK  OF  ROANOKE 

Was  planted  chiefly  bv  the  labours  of  R.ev.  James 
Mathews.  He  fome  years  paft  moved*  to Tennfefiee. 
After  the  removal  of  Mr.  Mathews,  they  had  Mi*. 
]faac  Rentfro  for  their  minifter.  i  le  moved  to 
Kentucky  in  1798.  Since  which,  thev  have  had  no 
paftor.  In  1802,  there  was  a  general  revival  in 
Montgomery  county.  T'h'.s  church  partook  of  the 
blefTmg  :  ninetesn  were  added. 

K  2 


.m']ik. 


jY-i  UISTOR^   or   THE 

SINKING  CREEK 

Was  raifed  under  the  /niniftry  of  Mr.  Jofeph 
Stanley  ;  who  is  ftill  their  paflor.  Under  his  la- 
bours the  church  has  profpered  :  having  increafed 
from  feventeen  to  thirty  three. 

CATAWBA, 

When  firft  conftituted,  had  no  pallor.-  Samuel 
Goodwin  was  their  firll:  pailor,  who  took  place 
,- about  1 78 1  or  1782-.  He  retained  his  charge  for 
about  ten  years,  and  then  moving  away  to  Bethel, 
after  about  ten  years  came  back  and  refumed  his  care 
of  C  atawba.  About  1 805,  he  was  excluded  for  intem- 
perate drinking.  He,  until  that  time,  had  borne  a  moft 
amiable  character  for  piejty  and  integrity ;  and  was 
efteemed  an  excellent  preacher,  and  very  adlive  and 
ufcful.  Gracious  heaven  !  how  many  thoufands  of 
the  profeiled  fons  of  Zion  are  overturned  by  this 
deadly  evil !  This  church  partook  in  the  re* 
vival. 

WEST  FORK.   {See  Greafy  Creek,) 

PINE  CREEK 

Is  a  flourifliing  church,  chiefly  taken  off  from  Sa» 
lem.  Has  a  promifmg  arm  on  Brufli  Creek,  where 
Henry  Beal  lives  and  labours  in  the  miniftry,  and 
'vUq  is  an  ordained  minifter. 


{lOLStON  ASSOCIATION.  275 

TAILES  OF  HQLSTON  and  MOUNTAIN  ASSOCIATIONS. 
HOLS  rON  ASSOCIATION. 


ii.  Fork  of 
Hollton 

Holton  or 
Sti  Clair\ 
Bottom 
Millcreek 
-  Valley 
Rich 

■  Valley 
Qladtf 
Hollows 

Sfony 

Creek 
Cqp.per 
''Crtsk 

taftle 

Woods 
Deep 

Spring 


1783 

X2 

36 

1 79 1 

+3 

69 

f799 

8 

65 

1S02 

2$ 

i7 

1788 
1800 

30 
11 

170 

3Z 

i8q2 

xz 

65 

1808 

16 

16 

1806 

5i 

01 

1797 

II 

60 

I 

A.  Baker,  &c. I 
\i.  FoK'y  and 
W  Brur.dragc 


A.  Baker 
W.  Wllfon 


_  M .  Foley 
T-  Burgefs  ?z':T  Hanstord 
S.  Goodwin'     D.  Kelly 
,  Wilfon  and  3.  Hilton 
S.  Hilton 


E.  Kelly 

D.  Idle,  W 
V.-lis,  and 

E    Keilv 

E.  Kelly,  W 
WiUba 


E.  Kelly 
K.  KilgQre 

D.  JefTe 
J.  Flanery 


M.  Foley  ji 

W.  Willbn 

J.  Foley 

E.  Kelly 
S.  Hilton 

W.  Vl^ells 
R    Kilgore 

p.  JcCie 
J,  Flanery 


VVaihing- 


do 
do 


RulTc! 
do 


do 


60 


Le« 


MOUNTAIN  ASSOCIATION. 


^f  .Fork  of 

VV.  Porter 

flew 

and 

-River 

1796 

»1 

n 

W.  Porter 

D.  Keith 

Gi-ayfon 

Meadow 

>.*  t  ■ 

Creek 

1797 

18 

100 

A.  Mitchcl 

A.  Mitchfcl 

do 

Cedar  Iil- 

,,and,  or 

Fox^Creek 

1782 

^5 

!   77 

r.  Evr.ns 

A.  Eaker 

do 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Hisiortf  of  the  iloljion  and  Mountain  Afsociations., 
including  the  Sketches  of  Churches, 

The  Holflon  Aflbciation  was  conilituted  about  the 
year  '7^8,  according  to  Afplund's  Regiller.  i'hey 
have   adopted   the  confefTion   of  f'litiij^i  hey  had 


'2'? 6  HISTORY  Oi    ...A. 

eighteen  churches  in  all,  in  791.  We  are  inform- 
ed, from  an  authentic  fource,  that  they  had  twenty 
five  churches  in  i  Voy,  viz.  fifteen  in  the  ilate  of  Ten- 
nelfee  and  ten  in  Virginia ;  and  their  whole  number 
of  members,  one  thoufand  fix  hundred  and  nineteen; 
averaging  not  quite  fixty  iive  to  a  church.  Thofe 
churches  that  are  in  Virginiji  average  a  litte  more 
than  fifty  nine  There  were  two  Baptift  churches 
in  the  bounds  of  this  dillri(ft,  at  a  much  earlier  date 
than  any  mentioned  in  the  table ;  but  they  were 
broken  up  by  the  Indian  war.  We  have  no  accouttt 
of  the  proceedings  of  the  Ilolfton  AfTociation ;  we 
mufl  tbereiore  proceed  to  fpeak  of  the  churches; 
beginning  with 

NORTH  FORK  OF  HOLSTON. 

Two  large  companies  have  emigrated  from  this 
church,  in  each  cafe  taking  oft  their  paflor,  viz.  John 
Frofl,  their  firft  paftor,  moved  into  Knox  county, 
Tenu'vifTee,  carrying  with  him  thirty  three  members; 
and  there  they  became  a  church.  This  happened 
about  '94  or  '95.  In  '9;],  they  got  another  paftor, 
Mofes  Foley;  but,  1802,  Foley  and  twenty  fix 
members  movcji  to  Abraham's  Creek  and  formed 
another  church.  In  1.S08,  they  procured  the  paftor- 
al  care  of  Charles  Pennington.  It  is  a  church  of 
good  ftanding. 

GLADE  HOLLOAYS. 

This  was  taken  off  from  Clinch  River  church  ; 
which  is  one  of  the  two  old  churches  mentioned 
above,  as  broken  up  by  the  war.  A  few  members 
returning  after  the  war,  the  church  was  reconftitu- 
ted.  But  (liortly  after  Glade  Hollows  was  taken  off, 
^he  mother  church  was  diflblved.  Glade  Hollovvs 
has  always  been  a  profperous  church  ;  but  particu- 
ly,  anno  jSoi,  under  the  miniftration  of  Edward 
Keiley,  they  had  a  blefled  revival ;  when  the  church, 
in  the  courfe  of  eighteen  months,  fwelied  to  three 


HOUSTON  ASSOCIATION,  S^'/J 

hundred  and  fixty.  After  this,  three  other  churches 
were  taken  off,  viz.  Stony  -Creek,  Sandy  Creek,  and 
Caftle  woods. 

SOUTH  FORK  or  St.  CLAIR's  BOTTOM, 

Was  for  many  years,  without  a  paflor,  and  then 
really  flourilhed  But,  aiming  to  choofe  a  p;.f- 
tor,  they  could  not  he  unaniaious.  The  majori- 
ty chofe  Mr.  Baker,  but  a  party  adhered  to  Mr. 
William  Brundradge,  an  emigrant  from|^the  north. 
They  were  a  divided,  and  confequently  an  unhappy 
people,  until  Brundrage  moved  to  Oiiio,  in  1^05. 
They  then  became  united  :  Proving  that  preachers 
may  be  t'le  greatefl  curfe,  as  well  as  th-ci  greaceft 
blefling. 

MILL  CREEK 

Has  been  a  happy  church.  Beginnning  with  only 
eight  members,  they  have  increafed  to  fixty  five. 

RICH  VALLEY 

Was  at  firfl:  a  thriyins:  church  :  but  through  the 
iniscondudt  of  their  paflor,  Mofes  Foley,  they  have 
had  cloudy  and  unpleafant  feafons. 

RUSSEL. 

There  is  nothing  remarkable  of  her,  except  that 
her  members  are  in  union  and  good  underllanding. 

DEEP  SPRING 

Had  a  comfortable  revival  in  t8oi,  and  increafed 
to  their  prefent  number.      They  are  doing  well. 

STONY  CREEK. 

This  church  was  alfo  revived  about  1 802  and  iBo^, 
and  increafed  to  about  eii^htv  five.  Since  thert,  al- 
though  they  have  had  cold  times,  they  have  preferv- 
edoruy^r,  6gc. 


■278  liiSTORY  oi'  Tiii: 

COPP   R  CREEK 

As  at  the  beginning,  fo  now,  they  enjoy  union  and 
peace.* 

CASTLE  WOODS. 

Nothing  remarkable,  is  faid  of  her  in  our  nianu- 
fcripts 

We  would  gladly  exhibit  the  characters  and  talents 
of  the  prelfeers  and  diftingniflied  private  members 
of  this  and  the  mountain  aflbciation,  but  for  the  want 
of  information  we  are  unable  to  do  fo.  The  docu- 
ments we  have  procured  at  all  respe(fting  the  differ- 
ent aflbciations  on  the  weftern  waters,  have  all  been 
obtained  through  the  friendly  attention  of  Rev.  Joliah 
Osburn  and  John  Alderlon.  Our  numerous  letters 
written  to  the  minifters  refiding  v/ithin  the  limits  of 
the  Aflbciations  were  not  attended  tQ. 

MOUNTAIN  ASSOCIATION  was condituted 
Augull,  1799  ;  the  churc]>es  having  been  previoufly 
difmilfed  from  the  Yadkin  Ailociation,  and  is  com- 
pofed  of  churches  in  North  Carolina,  Tennefiee,  and 
Virginia.  Three  only  are  iu  Virginia,  of  which  we^ 
will  fay  a  few  things  ;  beginning  with 

NORTH  FORK  OF  NEW  RIVER. 

V/illiam  Porter  w^as  the  paftor  of  this  churcii. 
But  being  unable  through  old  age,  to  go  through 
the  duties  of  the  miniftry ;  the  church  aflbciated 
Daniel  Keith  in  the  palloral  care.  This  circum- 
ftance  often  occurs  in  England,  but  very  rarely  in 
Virginia.  It  much  oftener  happens  in  Virginia, 
that  one  miniiler  is  paftor  of  three  or  four  churches,. 
than  that  the  fame  church  has  more  than  one  paftor. 
The   committing   the    minifterial    authoriry  of  the 

*  Deep  Spring,  Stoiiey  Creek,  and  Copper  Creek  had  not  joined  , 
' ion  ill  i?c€.    It  '.vas  expc>5led  they  vvouid  joia  ut  thi  next  fsilk;:. 


MOUJjTtAIN    ASSOCIATION. 


church,  to  more  than  one  elder,  has  in  this  country, 
often  been  found  upon  experience,  to  be  bad  polic^^. 
It  often  creates  parties,  in  fome  cafes,  fuch  as  the 
above,  however,  it  is  very  well. 

MEADOW  CREEK. 

God  has  fliowered  ^^o  vn  his  grace  upon  this  church. 
They  have  been  a  happy  and  an  increaling  people. 

FOX  CREEK 

Was  at  firll  a  flourifhing  church  ;  but  their  preach- 
er becoming  diforderly,  and  eventually  excluded,  they 
fell  into  confufion  and  diftrefs. 

The  removal  of  elder  Andrew  Baker  among  them, 
in  1803,  under  God,  healed  all  their  backilidings* 
God  turned  their  mourning  into  joy,  by  turning  m.a- 
ny  to  righteoufnefs.  For  feveral  years  Mr.  Bakec 
had  the  gratification  to  fee  his  Mafter's  work  prof- 
per  in  his  hands. 


280 


HISTORY  OP  tiil; 


tABLE  OF  ACCOMACi:  ASSOCIATIO;-.. 


-1 

" 

"■ 

t 

?>. 

C 

Ncme-5  of\  %  '$^ 

4| 

By  ivkoJK 

/or;f 

Freh'Kt 

Confit\€s» 

Churcbti. 

•''   i^ 

planted. 

tajlors. 

Vajhrs. 

k-uigo- 

iv.  Ijakcr  & 

tcagi'.e 

179c 

'35 

G.Lr.ylield 

G.  Lay  field 

Acconiack 

Matcirp 

'  ■ 

kin 

1785 

40 

105 

E.  Bakci- 

G.  Layficid 

do 

Chingo- 

tcague 

1786 

13* 

E.  Baker 

G.  Layfield 
S-Mar/liall' 

r.  Waters 

do 

Muffongo 

»779 

12+ 

£i  Biker 

G.  Norlhuri 
G^  Layfielc 
E.  Shay 

r.  Waters 

and 
J,  Benfton 

do 

Lowtr 

North- 

North- 

nnipton 

1778 

5 

S19 

E.  Baker 

E.  Baker 

f.  Elliott 

amptoa 

Hungo's 

1 7  S3 

lz6 

E.  iiaker 

E.  Baker 

J.EJlioit 

do 

Mafhia- 

P  ngo 

1807 

27 

50 

E.  Baker 

C.  Fiflier 

A.  Finier 

do 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

U'ijiory  of  the  Accomack  Affociailony  including  the 
Sketches  of  Chiir^chcs. 

The  Accomack  AiTociation  diflridl  lies  altogether 
on  the  Eaftern  Shore  of  V^irginia.  The  gofpel  was 
firfl  carried  thither  l3y  Elijah  Baker.  After  Mr. 
]3aker  had  planted  a  number  of  churches,  both  on 
the  Eaftern  Shore  of  •Vlarylartd  and  Virginia ;  and 
had  been  joined  by  other  preachers  from  different  parts, 
as  well  as  by  young  ones  raiTed  under  his  miniftry ; 
he  propofed  that  the  churches  fhoald  meet  by  their 
delegates  and  form  an  AiTociation.  This  they  did, 
anno  i784.-f-  They  took  the  name  of  the  Salisbury 
Aflbciation,  from  the  town  of  th<it  name  in  Mary- 
land, where  they  met.  They  alio  became  a  foftering 
mother  to  the  churches.     I'hey  increafed  from  year 

*  See  our  biography  of  Elijah  Baker. 

t  According  to  Afplund's  Re^ifter,  from  commi'.nications  made 
to  the  Compiler,  he  is  inclined  to  think  that  they  afiociatei  at  an 
earlier  datq. 


ACCOMACK  ASSOClATIOl^.  281 

to  year,  and  many  ufeful  preachers  were  raifed  up. 
The  bufinefs  of  the  AfTociation  was  conduded  with 
great  decorum,  and  their  decifions  were  wife  and 
prudent.  Dodlor  Robert  L-cm>n,  a  pradtitioner  of 
phyfic,  but  not  a  preacher,  adteJ  as  moderator,  from 
ihortly  after  their  organization,  until  the  divifion  of 
the  diftridt,  in  1808.  During  many  years,  it  was 
cuftomary  for  them  to  hold  their  annual  alTociations 
in  Mary  fed  near  Salisbury,  but  they  held  alfo  an 
occalional  aflbciation  in  Virginia,  every  Auguft. 
This  arrangement  was  not  fatisfadlory  to  the  Vir- 
ginia churches,  and  they  petitioned  to  be'difmifled, 
in  order  to  form  an  aiTociation  out  of  the  churches, 
wholly  in  Virginia.  This  was  done ;  and  the  new 
aflbciation  called  Accomack,  met  for  the  firft  time 
at  Pungoteague,  Auguft,  1809  :  at  which  feffion 
they  were  chiefly  employed  in  forming  a  conftitution 
and  rules  of  decorum.  They  alfo  agreed  to  join  the 
General  iVIeeting  of  Correfpondence.  At  this  feffion 
elder  George  Layfield  was  chofen  as  moderator,  and 
Mr.  William  Coflen  as  clerk  As  this  is  the  firfl 
and  only  meeting  they  have  had  fince  the  divifion, 
nothing  more  can  be  faid  as  to  their  proceedings. 
The  hiflorical  sketches  of  the  churches  muft  now  be 
attended  to. 

PUNGOTEAGUE 

Is  a  large  and  happy  church.  For  fometime  after 
iheir  conflitution  they  had  no  regular  paflor.  But 
for  a  good  many  years  they  have  been  under  the 
paftoral  care  of  Rev.  George  Layfield,  to  whom  they 
liften  as  children  to  a  father. 

Mr.  Layfield  is  indeed  a  father  in  Tfrael.  He  has 
long  profefled  to  know  the  way  of  life,  and  has  never 
fince  departed  from  it,  either  to  the  right  hand  or  to 
the  left.  He  was  a  Presbyterian,  previous  to  his 
hearing  the  Baptifts,  and  could  not  for  iome  time  , 
after  he  heard  them  and  loved  them,  bring  Jiis  mind 

L  2 


Xij  L  IJISTOKV    OF    THE 

to  be  v/illiiig  to  give  up  his  infant  fprlnkling.  He' 
finally  yielded  to  the  force  of  truth,  and  being  bapti- 
zed, commenced  preacher.  His  lirft  refidence  was 
in  Maryland,  where  he  continued  for  many  years  be- 
fore he  became  a  preacher;  In  point  of  talents,  Mr. 
Layfield  may  be  c6nfidered  as  Handing  on. refpectable 
.ground.  He  docs  not  aim  to  speak  in  the  ehticing 
wards  of  man's  wifdom;  but,  in  limplicity  and  godly 
fiiicerity,  commends  himfelf  to  every  man's  con- 
fcience.  He  is  a  man  of  grave  deportment,  yet 
cheerful  njanners.  He  is  liberal  in  his  fentiments  to- 
wards thofc  who  differ  v/ith  him  on  religious  fubjecfts, 

MATOMPKIN. 

Tills  church  has  alfo  the  ftated  fcrviccs  of  elder 
Layfield,  and  are  peaceable  and  harmonious.  They 
liave  never  had  any  regular  paftor. 

MASONGO 

Is  a  church  of  good  Handing,  but  has  feen  better 
days  than  the  present.  Their  iiril:  preacher  was 
George  Norihum,  who  was  not  diftinguiihed  for 
any  thing  lingular.  He  was  fucceeded  by  Mr.  Lay- 
field,  and  he  by  Elijah  Shay.  Shay  was  a  preacher 
of  popular  talents  ;  but  after  railing  himfelf  to  confi- 
derable  diftindion,  he  fold  his  birthright  for  a  mefs 
of  pottage.  He  became  a  drunkard,  and  was  exclu- 
ded from  the  church.  Failing  thus  of  the  grace  of 
God,  he  fought  to  fupply  the  deficiency  by  art  and 
deception.  He  moved  oif  to  Alexandria,  where  alfo, 
he  conduded  himfelf  fo  diforderly,  as  to  incur  the 
cenfures  of  all  thofe  who  made  preteniions  to  ferious- 
nefs.  From  thence,  he  travelled  off,  under  the  name 
of  a  Baptill  preacher;  until  the  brethren  near  Alex- 
andria, thought  it  their  duty  to  advertife  him  as  an 
impolior  ;  which  they  did  in  the  minutes  of  the  Ke- 
toctcn  Affociation.  What  mifchief  do  fuch  traitors 
do  to  the  befl  of  caufes  ^ 


^CCQMACK  ASSo.crATIo:^r,  28.3 

CHINGOTEAGUE. 

The  goipel  was  firft  carried  into  thefe  parts  by  the 
indetatigabfe  J'^^.  Baker,  His  labours  were  not  at. 
fird:,  extensively  blefled,  immediately  in  the  neigh- 
bourhdod  of  Chingoteague.  The  feed  however  fown 
by  Mr.  Baker  and  others,  were  cultivated  by  Mr. 
Layfield ;  and  a  church  was  conflituted  under  the 
care  of  elder  lay  fie  Id.  After  fome  time^  he  yielded 
the  care  to  elder  Solomon  IVIarfhall,  who  attended 
them  ftatedly,  but  not  as  an  abiding  paftor.  They 
now  have  the  pafloral  fervices  of  elder  Thomas  WaK 
ters,  whofe  labours  among  them  have  been  highly 
bleded.  Mr.  Walters  is  a  loving,  zealous,  laborious^ 
and  fuccefsful  fervant  of  the  moft  high  God.  Hav- 
ing a  warm  heart,  he  enjoys  nothing,  more  than  to  fee 
divine  love  fpreading  from  heart  to  heart-  warming 
and  animating  the  fouls  of  Iliints.  On  fuch  occanon;] 
he  feems  willing  to  be  fpent  in  praifing  and  adoring 
Jhis  gracious  Redeemer. 

LOV/ER  NORTHAMPTON. 

Within  the  bounds  of  this  church,  was  the  place 
where  Mr.  Baker  began  his  evangelical  career.  Mere 
aifo^  were  the  iirft  perfons  baptized  that  ever  fubmit- 
ted  to  that  facred  ordinance  on  the  Eaftern  Shore  •: 
And  here  was  conrtituted  the  firll  church..:  -When 
firll:  organized,  elder  Baker  became  their  paffer^  and 
fo  continued  until  the  day  of. his  death.  Vhe  church 
foon  after  her  conftitution  became  large  and  flouriih- 
ing,  and  continues  fo  to  this  tmie.  i'here  are  £orr(c 
very  refpedtablc  private  members  among  them.  t.l- 
der  John  Elliott  preaches  for  them  ilatedly  iince  the 
death  of  elder  Baker. 

Ifaac  Broughton  is  an  ordained  preacher  in  th\o 
church,  efteemed,  by  all  who  know  him,  a  pious  aiU 
venerable  man,  but  of  verv  infirm  health. 


2M  HISTORY    OF    THE 

HUNGO's 

Has  been  for  fome  time  a  declining  church,  having 
fuftained  great  lofl'es  by  the  death  of  many  of  her 
moft  valuable  private  members.  They  were  once  a 
numerous  people. 

Elder  Elliott,  their  paflor,  commenced  preaching 
in  1783,  when  about  thirty  years  of  age,  but  he  had 
been  a  profeflor  for  fome  time  before.  Seeing  how 
much  labourers  were  wanted  in  the  harveft,  his  ipirit 
was  moved  within  hini.  He  flepped  forward,  and 
the  Lord  fmiled  upon  his  fervices  He  is  efteemed 
by  all  his  acquaintances  a  pious  and  exemplary  man, 
as  well  as  a  fteady  and  ufeful  preacher. 

MASHAPONGO 

Is  a  young  and  fomewhat  increafing  church,  under 
the  care  of  elder  Caleb  Fiflier.  Previous  to  his  pro- 
fefTion  of  religion,  Mr.  Fiflier  was  very  fond  of  the 
fafhionable  vices  of  the  age.  Racing,  dancing,  gam- 
bling, and  keeping  wild  and  wanton  company,  were 
the  objedls  of  his  moft  intent  purfuit.  Serious  re- 
iledtionF,  though  fometimes  forced  upon  his  mind, 
were  never  welcome.  God,  in  themidfi  of  his  wild 
career,  marked  him  as  an  objetfl  of  invincible  grace. 
The  arrows  of  the  -Mmighty  ftuck  faft  in  him  ;  and 
although  he  was  at  firft  as  an  ox  unaccuftomed  to  the 
}<)ke,  he  finally  found  that  the  yoke  of  Jefus  was 
eafy  and  his  burden  was  light.  He  found  reft  to  his 
^oul,  and  was  baptized,  anno  1792.  To  his  vicious 
affociates  he  now  became  as  obnoxious  as  he  was  be- 
fore agreeable.  After  fome  years,  viz.  in  1802,  he 
began  to  preach.  1  his  gave  many  ©f  the  fons  of 
Belial  an  opportunity  to  infult  him.  While  he 
preac^ed  they  would  mock;  and  fometimes  openly. 
On  one  occaiion,  they  ftirred  upfo  much  difturbance, 
ihat  he  thought  it  his  duty  to  profecute  them.     In 


ACCOIvIACK  ASSOCIATION.  285 

return,  one  man,*  under  fomc  frivolous  pretence, 
fvvore  the  peace  agalnft  him,  and  dragged  him  before 
a  :nagiftrate,  while  there,  he  iaviilied  out  the  mofh  un- 
limitedabufe  againfl  Fiiher;  whenlo!  he  fell  fpeech- 
lefs  by  a  paralytic  flroke.  He  lofl  the  ufe  of  one  fide, 
and  fuffered  more  than  common  pain  in  fuch  cafes ..-f- 
This  dil'play  of  divine  vengeance  had  an  avviui  effcS: 
upon  the  minds  of  the  furrounding  people,  and  indeed 
all  who  heard  it. 

Mr.  Fi/her  was  upwards  of  forty  years  of  age  when 
he  began  to  preach.  It  is  not  to  be  expedted  that 
under  thofe  circumftances  he  Ihould  make  any  great, 
advancement  in  improving  his  gifts.  Hcisefteem- 
cd,  however,  a  man  of  ftrong  mind,  and  as  a  preach- 
er, found  and  animating. 

The  Baptiftcaufe  is  not  thought  to  prevail  as  much;, 
on  the  Eadern  Shore,  as  it  did  forhe  years  pafl.  When 
they  firft  came  into  this  country,  they  had  to  com- 
bat with  the  eilabliflied  church -^rrncd,  with  the  civil 
fword.  Clothed  with  a  heavenly  panoply,  they  went 
forth  in  the  name  of  the  i  ord  of  limits,  and  prevailed. 
The  eilabliflaed  church  here,  as  well  as  in  moil:  otlier 
places  in  Virginia,  declined  rapidly,  alter  the  rife  of  the 
Baptifts.  Of  late,  they  have  other  opponents  that 
are  much  more  fuccefsfuL  For  many  yesrs  pail, 
the  Methodifls  have  been  a  very  increafing  people. 
on  the  Eaflern  Shore.  Whether  their  profperity  is 
only  temporary,  until  the  fet  tim^e  to  favour  Zioii 
flaall  arrive  J  or  v/hether  for  fome  caufe  God  is  dif- 
pofed  to  permit  his  people  to  be  led  into  captivity, 
and  to  become  fubfervient  to  the  neighbouring  na- 
tions, we  cannot  determine.  As  this  Hate  of  things 
has  occurred  in  many  other  places,  as  v/ell  as  in  thefe 
parts,  it  will  not  be  improper  .to  offer  a  few  remarks 
by  way  of  conjedliiring  the  caufe;  not  becaufe  it  is 

f'Amr.  Hiinderfon. 
+  riiis  happened  in  iSor;  ;  antl  three  montlis  after,  he  remained  in  the  fam  • 

<iAvti!i  lt:ite,  lu.fain     ■  ;.Te  mill  of  otdv,  ;ind  no  do^bt  as  much  in  mi  d. 


t:Sy  HISTOilV    ui-     li. . 

believed  that  the  remarks  apply  to  this -•  .  ...u  puiQ- 
cular  place,  but  with  a  defign  to  offer  caution  to  all.- 
Baptiit-principles.  uiider  right  views,  have  no  tend- 
ency to  paralyze  the  eftbrts  of  man,  or  retard  his  acr 
tivity.  But  -how  often  do  thefe  elfcdls  follow  the 
milinterpretation  of  thef^  principles  !  How  fre- 
quently, where  error  thrives  through  the  induftry 
and  zeal  of  its  fupportcrs,  do  the  friends  of  truth  lie 
iHil  under  a  miftiken  confidence  that  truth  cannot 
be  hurt:  Andinftead  of  oppofing  zeal  to  zeal,  induf- 
try to  indufcry,  and  all  lawful  means  in  a  good  caufe 
againit  ail  lawful  or  unlawful  ones  in  a  bad  one;  they 
too  often  permit  the  hearts  of  the  people  to  be  flolen, 
and  their  prejudices  fet  againft  found  principles  be- 
fore they  take  the  alarm.  Truth  is  often  injured  bi' 
an  u.nfuitable  application  of  its  parts.  Strong  meat 
ihould  not  be  given  but  to  men.  To  preach  the 
deep  myfterious  dovHirines  of  grace  upon  all  occafions, 
and  before  all  forts  of  people,  is  the  fure  way  ty 
preach  them  out  of  the  parts.  To  give  to  any  one 
doctrine  more  weight  than  the  proportion  found  in 
the  fcripture,  defaces  the  beauty  of  the  whole,  and 
retards  its  progrcfs.  Unguardedncfs  refpedl:in'»' 
preachers,  in  various  ways,  but  efpecially  as  to  im- 
poflors,  has  injured  the  Baptiils  in  many  parts,  but 
in  none  more  than  on  the  Eaflern  Shore.  I'hey  have 
probably  fuffered  more  by  impoftors,  than  any  other 
people  in  Virginia.  The  mofl  dilHnguifhed  of  thefe 
was  Jofeph  Flood.  He  was  for  eight  or  ten  years,  a 
Baptift  preacher  of  great  popularity  in  thofe  parts, 
and  by  many  was  thought  pious.  His  brilliant  ta-. 
lents  feem  to  have  blinded  the  people  to  his  faults. 
He  had  married  a  wife  in  early  life,  with  wdiom  he 
lived  peaceably.  She  dying,  he  married  a  fecc^nd  ,; 
who  proved  a  heavy  curfe.  He  left  her,  and  em- 
ployed his  time  altogether  in  preaching.  Tot  thi? 
he  was  not  much  blamed  by  thofe  who  kneWltll  the 
•circ  urn  fiances.  But  he  would  not  flop  there.  He 
came  down  into  Accomack,  and  aftuiillv  ncrfjadcp 


ACdOMACK  ASSOCIATION.  'So? 

"i  young  worftan  of  refped:able  connexions  to  go'jtd 
Philadelphia,  and  there  to  be  married  to  him.  It  is 
difficult  for  any  at  a  diflance,  to  conceive,  what 
"  j-^^^y-  -^■^■t^-  <-^''^    jjjK^    ^V^    Pv^ipi-i-ft    (^jnii^-    upon 

church,  and  in  many  refpec^s,  acSted  a  ^j^ujjiji 

He  has  Unce  fettled  in  Bedford  county,  Virginia,  aiiH 

has  occafionally  preached  but  not  as  a  Baptiil. 

Soon  after  Flood's  downfall,  came  one  Samuel 
Counfel  under  the  name  of  a  Baptifl  preacher  ^^  and 
being  a  man  of  coniiderable  ingenuity,  became  po- 
pular. He  was  indeed  a  wolf  in  flieeps'  clothing. 
He  was  an  Arian  in  principle  ;  and  ufed  great  fubtilty 
in  maintaining  his  opinions.  He  was  thought,  by 
fome,  to  have  made  imprefiions  on  fom.e  reipedtable 
profeffors ;  and  that  if  his  bad  life  had  not  betrayed 
liim,  he  might  have  formed  a  party  in  the  churches. 
The  Salisbury  .'\ ffociation  noticed  him,  and  guarded 
the  churches  againli  him;  Avhich  with  fome  other 
tfhiHgs,  drove  him  off. 

About  the  fame  time,  came  one  Carey,  (as  he 
called  himfelf)  and  pretended  that  he  was  a  Baptifl 
preacher.  Carey  was  far  from  poileffing  diftinguiih- 
ed  gifts;  and  indeed  could  not  be  faid  to  have  any 
one  ejuahfication  for  making  good  his  way  under  his 
ailumed  chara6ter,  except  an  indefcribable  ilcck  of 
ifnpudence.  Still,  however,  he  impofed  upon  many, 
and  was  noticed  in  feveral  places,  as  a  preacher  of 
gifts.  Againil  him  alfo,  the  churches  were  caution- 
ed, and  he  went  off  elfev/here ;  and  if  not  .hanged,  is 
perhaps  ilill  impoiing  upon  the  credulous  feme  where. 

After  thefe  repeated  flams,  it  is  not  flrange  that  the 
Baptift  caufe  has  rather  declined  of  late  years  in  this. 
Affociation.  But,  peradventure,  thefe  dark  fcencs 
are  but  thfe  preludes  of  a  bright  and  glorious  day,  for 
which,  no  doubt  many  precious ,  and  pious  fouls  are 
daily  lifting  up  their  hearts  to  God.  For  indeed  tnQ 
Baptilla  of  thelc  parts  are  a  tender,  loving,  affediionate^v^ 
and  pious  people,  anxious  for  thg  welfare  of  Zion, 


289  GtNEbAL  HIS  TOE  Y  OF 

For  hofpitality  and  kindnels  to  ftrangeit,  the  Eai>eri^ 
Shore  people,  both  faints  and  linners,  are  lurpafled  by 
none. 

This  is  thelafj^  afibcivi^tion  m  Virgir^p.  thnf  r;^iA^,|^o 
[c|id  to  hayr^Iriien  from  tlie  liJ^n.rs  r|f  .qpp^^r.fP,  1-?;^- 
We  Ihall  now  proceed  to   treat  of 
Iioui  formerly  called  Regulars. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 
Of  the  Origin  and  Frogrefs  of  the  Regular  Baptifis, 

We  Have  already  informed  our  readers,  page  1, 
that  one  of  the  three  original  companies  of  Baptifts, 
that  emigrated  to  Virginia,  came  from  Maryland. 
From  thefe  arofe  the  Hegular  Baptiftsj  as  they  were, 
for  a  feafon,  called,  in  contradiftind:ion  to  the  Sepa- 
rates, 'i'hefe,  though  not  fo  numerous  as  the  Sepa- 
rates, are  a  large  and  very  refptd:able  body  of  people, 
lor,  with  very  few,  did  they  come  into  Virginia,  and 
now  they  are  become  feveral  Aiiociations.  Befides 
the  Ketodon,  which  is  a  very  extenfive  aiTociation, 
the  Redftone,  Greenbrier, and  Union,  all  fprungfrom 
the  fame  fource. 

Our  papers  do  not  exaiftly  agree  refpeding  the 
date  at  which  the  iirft  Baptifts  made  their  appear- 
ance in  thefe  parts,  but  upon  a  full  examination  of 
the  different  documents,  it  is  probable  that  we  ihall 
2:ive  a  corred;  flatement. 

In  1743,  Edward  Hays  and  Thomas  Yates,  mem- 
bers of  a  Baptift  congregation  in  Maryland,  moved 
with  a  company,  and  fettled  on  Opeckon,  in  Berkley 
county,  Virginia.  Their  minifler,  Mr.  Henry  Love- 
all,  foon  followed  them.  His  preaching  was  attend- 
ed with  fuccefs,  and  in  a  fhort  time  he  baptized  fif- 
teen perfons.  They  continued  their  church  ilate  un- 
til 1751 ;  but  it  is  probable  they  were  rather  remifs  in 
their  government  i  /or  we  are  informed,  that  on  that 


THE    REGULAR  BAPTISTS.  28^ 

year,  certain  mmifkr-*  of.the  Philadelphia  AfTccia- 
tioii  came  among  them,  and  new  modelled  the 
church,  forming  it,  as  our  manulcript  lays,  upon  the 
Calvinillic  plan,  fiftmg  out  the  chafF,  -aid  retaining 
the  fappafed  good  grain.  From  which  it  may  be 
prefumed,  that  the  firft  preacher  or  his  party,  were 
eidier  Arminians,  or  inclined  that  -vay. 

?  All  17^4.,  when  Stearns  and  Marlhall  were  among 
them,  their  minifter  was  Samuel  Heton,  who  was 
probably  their  firil:  preacher,  after  ihey  had  been  new 
modelled  as  above.  U  hat  became  of  eitb  r  Loveall 
or  Heton,  we  are  not  informed.  The  next  preacher 
that  lived  among  them,  and  far  the  moft  diftinguifh- 
ed,  was  elder  John  Garrard,  probably  from  Pennfyl- 
vania.  The  precife  year  in  which  he  came,  is  not 
afcertained,  but  it  was  probably  about  1755  Fvoip. 
the  time  that  they  were  purified,  in  1751,  this  church 
was  in  connexion  with  the  Philadelphia  Affociation. 
They  were  very  zealous,  had  much  preaching,  and 
were  remarkably  warm  in  their  religious  exercifes, 
and  more- particularly  fo  after  Mr.  Daniel  Marfliall 
came  among  them.  They  went  to  fuch  lengths, 
that  fome  of  the  more  cold-hearted  lodged  a  com- 
plaint in  the  Philadelphia  Aflbciation.  Mr  Miller 
was  fent  to  fee  what  was  the  matter.  When  he  came, 
he  was  highly  delighted  with  the  exercifes,  joined 
them  cordially,  and  faid  if  he  hid  fuch  warm  hearted 
chriftians  in  his  church,  he  would  not  take  goid  for- 
them.  fie  charged  thofe  who  had  complained,  ra- 
ther to  nouriih  than  complain  of  fuch  gifts.  The 
Work  of  God  revived  among  them,  and  confiderable 
additions  were  made  to  the  church.  The  country  in 
Avhich  they  had  fettled,  was  but  thinly  inhabited,  and 
was  fubje^l  to  the  inroads  of  the  Indians,  home  of 
thele  favage  irruptions  took  place  not  long  after  ,\ir. 
Garrard  had  fettled  among  them;  in  coniequence  of 

*  Mr.  Mil  cv  and  others. 

M  2  " 


291)  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF 

which,  he  and  many  of  the  church  removed  below 
the  Blue  ridge,  and  refided  for  fomc  time  in  Loudon 
county,  on  Ketocfton  creek.  He  was  not,  while 
there,  forgetful  of  his  duty,  but  laboured  night  and 
day  for  the  infl:rud:ion  and  falvation  of  fmncrs.  God 
turned  tlie  hearts  of  many,  who  believing,  were  bap- 
tized. 

A  church  was  conftituted,  called  Ketodon,  to 
which  Mr.  Garrard  was  appointed  paftor.  It  is 
probable  that  this  church  was  organized  in  the  year 
1756  :  for  on  the  fecond  Sunday  in  June,  1757,  the 
IVi  illcreek,  Ketod:on,and  the  Smith's  and  Lynville's 
Creek  churches,  held  their  iiril  yearly  meeting  at  the 
meeting  houfe  of  the  laft  named  church.  So  that 
we  fhall  probably  be  corredl  if  we  date  the  conilitu- 
tion  of  the  Ketotton  church  in  1756;  of  JVJ illcreek 
in  1743  i  her  firfl:  renewal  in  1751  and  her  reinftate- 
ment  after  the  Indian  irruption  in  1757.  Having 
briefly  fliown  the  origin  and  procefs  of  the  Baptifts 
who  flrft  fettled  on  Opeckon,  we  fhall  now  attend  to 
another  company  on  Smith's  and  Lynville's  Creek, 
in  Rockingham.  The  Smith's  and  Lynville's  Creek 
church  was  conftituted  Auguft  6th,  1756^  under  the 
pafloral  care  of  John  Alderfon,  fen.  There  had 
been  fome  Eaptifts  living  in  this  place  for  about 
eleven  years  previous  to  the  conftitution  of  the 
church.  Thefe  were  probably  a  party  of  private 
members  from  fome  of  the  churches  in  the  Philadel- 
phia AfTociation ;  or  perhaps  fome  of  them  from 
JNew  England:  for  it  is  ftatcd  that  one  John  Har- 
rifon  wifliing  to  be  baptized,  went  as  far  as  Oyfter 
bay  in  Maffachufetts,  to  obtain  that  ordinance.  As 
there  were  Baptift  churches  and  miniflers  much  near^- 
cr,  the  prefumption  is,  that  he  had  been  led  to  that 
meafure  in  coniideration  of  fome,  if  not  all,  of  the 
Eaptifts  of  his  neighbourhood  having  come  from 
thence. 

During  the  eleven  years  from  the  time  the  Baptifls 
iirfl  came  to  this  neighbourhood,  until  the  conllitu- 


THE  REGULAR   BAPTISTS.  291 

tion  of  the  church,  they  were  vifited  by  feveral 
preachers  from  the  northern  ftates,  among  whom 
were  Mr.  Samuel  Eaton,  Benjamin  Griffith,  John 
Gano,  and  John  Alderfon ;  the  laft  of  whom  after- 
wards fettled  ainong  them  and  became  their  partor. 

The  three  churches  above  named  became  mem- 
bers of  the  Philadelphia  AiTociation  foon  after  their 
Gonftitution,  and  fo  continued  until  they  formed  an  in- 
dependent allociation.  Previous  to  this  hov/ever, 
they  met  in  an  annual  or  yearly  meeting,  alternately 
at  the  three  meeting  houfes.  In  their  yearly  meet- 
ings, preaching  was  kept  up  for  feveral  days,  minif- 
ters  from  diftant  parts  attended,  and  confultations 
were  holden  refpedling  the  propagation  of  the  gofpel, 
as  well  as  advice  offered  for  the  good  government  of 
the  infant  churches.  Thefe  meetings  greatly  accele- 
rated the  fpread  of  the  gofpel,  and  alfo  ripened  the 
churches  forafeparate  aflbciation. 

About  1760,  Rev.  David  Thomas,  from  Pennfyl- 
vania,  came  to  Berkley  in  Virginia,  on  a  miniflerial 
viiit/  A  fmall  time  previous  to  this,  two  men  in  the 
county  of  Fauquier,  on  Broadrun,  had,  without  any 
public  preaching,  become  convinced  of  the  reality  of 
vital  religion,  and  that  they  were  deflitute  of  it. 
Wrought  upon  by  fuch  conviclions,  and  hearing  of 
the  Baptiils  in  Berkley,  they  travelled  thither,  a  dif- 
tance  of  about  iixty  miles,  to  hear  them.  When 
they  arrived  and  heard  the  gofpel,  it  proved  a  fweet 
favour  of  life.  They  returned  home,  God  built  them 
up  by  his  fpirit,  and,  in  a  fliort  time,  they  made  a 
fecond  vifit  to  Berkley,  offered  an  experience  of 
grace  to  the  church,  and  were  baptized.  It  fo  hap- 
pened, that  thefe  men  and  Mr.  David  Thomas  came 
to  Berkley  at  the  fame  time.  They  invited  iimi  to 
go  down  to  Fauquier  and  preach,  and  he  accepted  the 
invitation.  It  was  faid  of  Martin  Luther,  that  if  the 
pope  had  given  him  a  cardinal's  cap,  he  would  never 
have  propagat-d  the  principles  of  the  reformation,  it 
might  be  lo.     And  it  could  alio  De  faid,  that  if  they 


295  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF 

Jiad  made  Paul  high  priest,  inftead  offending  him  to 
Damafcus,  he  would  not  have  tpreid  the  gofpel 
among  the  gentiles.  So  alio  if  \]r.  Thomas  had  not 
happened  to  meet  with  thefe  men.  who  were  hunger- 
ing for  the  bread  ot  life,  he  miglit  never  have  gone  to 
Broadrun,  and  from  thence  over  a  great  part  of  Vir- 
ginia ;  by  which  thoufands  were  turned  from  dark- 
nels  to  light.  Thefe  things,  in  the  eye  of  mere  rea- 
son, look  hke  contingencies  ;  but  by  the  eye  of  faith, 
they  are  all  plainly  viewed  as  the  contrivance  of  in- 
finite wifdom,  and  executed  by  an  infaiiibie,  though 
invifible  hand. 

After  Mr.  Thomas  had  laboured  awhile  at  Broad- 
run,  and  in  the  adjacent  neighbourho'>d,  his  labours 
were  fo  much  favoured,  that  he  relblved  to  become  a 
reiident  among  them  Many  profefied  faith,  and 
were  baptized.  A  church  was  quickly  conftituted, 
to  which  Mr.  T'h:  mas  was  chofen  pa  (lor.  This 
took  place  a  little  atter  the  year  1/60.  He  did  not 
confine  his  miniflry  to  one  neighbourhood,  lie 
travelled  through  all  the  furrounding  country,  lifting 
up  his  voice  as  the  voice  of  God  commanding  all 
men  to  repent,  lie  was,  indeed  and  in  truth,  a 
burning  and  a  Ihining  light.  Vhere  were  few  fuch 
men  in  the  world,  as  David  Thomas  was,  at  that  time. 
Having  by  nature  a  flrongand  vigorous  mind,  he  had 
devoted  his  attention  with  diUgence  to  the  acquire- 
ment of  a  claifical  ana  refined  education.  In  this, 
few,  if  any  of  his  cotemporaries,  fucceeded  better. 
He  graduated  at  an  early  period.  Befides  the  en- 
dowments of  his  miud,  he  had  a  melodious  and  pier- 
cing voice,  pathetic  addrcfs,  exprcfiive  action,  and 
above  all,  a  heart  filled  with  the  love  of  God  and 
fympathy  for  his  fellow  men,  whom  he  faw  over- 
whelmed in  fin  and  mifery.  God  bade  him  fpeak 
on  J  and  much  people  believed  through  him. 

Mr.  Thomas  drew  the  attention  of  the  people  for 
many  miles  around.  They  travelled,  iii  many  in- 
ftances,  lifty  and  {ixty  miles  to  hear  him.     It  is  re- 


TIIF.  REGULAR  BAPTISTS.  ,203. 

markable,  that  about  the  time  of  the  firft  rife  of  the 
gofpei  in  Virginia,  there  were  multiplied  indances  of 
perfons  who  had  never  heard  any  thing  hke  evingeh- 
cal  preaching,  that  were  brought  through  divine 
grace  to  fee  and  feel  the  want  of  vital  goodueis. 
Many  of  thefe,  when  they  would  hear  of  Mr.  Tho- 
mas and  other  Baptiil  preachers,  would  travel  off  to 
hear  them  and  invite  them  to  come  and  preach  in 
their  neighbourhood.  By  **this  means,  the  gofpei 
was  iiril  carried  into  ^  ulpepper  Mr.  Allen  Wyley,^'^ 
a  man  of  refpedable  ftanding  in  that  county,  had 
been  thus  turned  to  God,  and  not  knowing  of  an}- 
fpiritual  preacher,  he  liad,  fometimes  gatnered  his 
neighbours,  and  read  the  fcriptures  and  exhorted 
them  to  repentance ;  but  hearing  after  a  while,  of 
Mr.  Thomas,  he  and  lome  of  his  neighbours  travel- 
ed to  Fauquier  to  hear  him.  As  foon  as  he 'heard 
him,  he  knew  the  joyful  found,  fubmittcd  to  baptifm, 
and  invited  him  to  preach  at  liis  houfe.  He  came, 
but  the  oppolition  from  the  wicked  was  fo  great,  thai: 
he  could  not  preach.  He  went  into  the  county  of 
Orange,  and  preached  feveral  times  and  to  much  pur- 
pofe.  His  labours  were  bleffed.  Having  however, 
urgent  calls  to  preach  in  various  otlier  places,  and 
being  much  oppofed  and  perfecuted  here,  he  did  not 
attend  here  as  oflen  as  svas  wi(lied.  On  this  account 
it  was,  that  Mr.  \Vyley  went  to  Pittfylvania  for  VJr. 
Harrifs.  iVlr.  Thomas  and  Mr.  Garrard,  fometimes 
together  and  fometimes  apart,  travelled  and  propa- 
gated the  pure  principles  of  chriitianity  in  all  the  up- 
per counties  of  the  j'N-orthern  Neck.  Mr.  Thomas 
v^as  far  the  moll  active.  It  was  not  to  be  prefumed 
that  the  friends  of  the  eftahliihment  would  feel  them- 
felves  diiintereited  in  thefe  proceedings.  Their  Da- 
gon  was  fail  falling  before  the  gofpei.  They  there- 
fore refolved  to  flir  themfelves,  to  prevent  this  cala- 
mity.    They  adopted  various  methods  to  accomplilli 

*  The  fame  who  v/eat  after  Samuel  Ilari-irs,  fcs  page  7- 


291  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF 

this  objcd.  The  clergy  often  attacked  the  Baptifts 
from  the  pulpit ;  called  them  faife  prophets,  wolves 
inilieeps'  clothing,  &c.  6cc.  But,  mifortunately  for 
them,  the  Baptifts  retorted  thefe  charges  bv  profeffing 
to  believe  their  own  articles ;  at  leail;  the  leading  ones  ; 
and  charged  them  with  denying  them ;  a  charge  which 
they  could  ealily  fubftantiate.  For  the  dodtrines  mod 
complained  of  as  advanced  by  the  Baptifts,  were  ob- 
vioully  laid  down  in  the  common  prayer  book. 

When  they  could  not  fucceed  by  arguments,  they 
adopted  more  violent  meafures. 

Sometimes  when  the  pre?xhers  came  to  a  place  for 
the  parpofe  of  preaching,  a  kind  of  mob  would  be 
raifed,  and  by  violent  threats  they  hindered  the  preach- 
ing. 

Sometimes  the  preachers,  and  even  fome,  that  only 
read  fermons  and  prayed  publicly,  were  carried  be* 
fore  magillratcs,  and  though  not  committed  to  prifon, 
were  iharply  reprimanded,  and  cautioned  not  to  be 
righteous  overmuch. 

In  one  inftance  only,  it  appears  that  any  perfon  in 
thefe  parts  wa^  actually  imprifoned  on  account  of  re- 
ligion. He  it  feems,  was  a  licenfed  exhorter,  and 
was  arrefted  for  exhorting  at  a  licenfed  meeting  houfe. 
The  magiflrate  fent  him  to  jail,  where  he  was  kept 
until  court ;  but  the  court  uoon  knowing  the  cir~ 
cumftances,  difcharged  him.  Elder  James  Ireland 
was  alfo  imprifoned  in  Culpepper  jail,  and  in  other 
refpe<!>3  treated  very  ill.*  But  at  the  time  of  his  im- 
prifonment  Mr.  Ireland  was  a  Separate  Baptift, 
though  he  afterwards  joined  the  Regulars.  The  rea- 
fons  why  the  Regular  Baptifts  were  not  as  much  per- 
fecuted  as  the  Separates,  was,  that  they  had,  at  an 
early  date,  applied  to  the  general  court,  and  obtained 
licenfes  for  particular  places ;  under  the  toleration  law 
of  England  ;  but  few  of  their  enemies  knew  the  ex- 
tent of  thefe  licenfes ;  moll  fuppofing,  that  they  were, 

*  See  farther  account  of  hhperfecution?  iu  his  biographr. 


THE  REGULAR  BAPTISTS..  295 

by  them,  authorized  to  preach  any  where  in  the 
county.  One  other  reafon  for  their  moderate  perfe- 
cution  perhaps  was,  that  the  Regulars  were  not 
thought  lb  enthuliaftic  as  the  Separates ;  and  having 
Mr.  Thomas,  a  learned  man,  in  their  fociety,  they 
appeared  much  more  refped:abie  in  the  eyes  of  the 
enemies  of  truth. 

All  their  pretenlions  combined  with  their  other 
exertions,  could  not  materially  retard  the  progrel's  of 
the  gofpel.  The  work  went  on.  New  churches 
were  conftituted  and  young  preachers  were  raifed 
up.  Of  thefe,  none  were  more  diflinguiflied  than 
Richard  Major,  although  he  had  pad  the  meridian  of 
life  before  he  embarked  in  the  miniftry.  He  feems 
to  have  made  fuch  good  ufe  of  his  time,  that  he  did 
more  in  the  vineyard  than  many  who  had  toiled  all 
the  day.*  Daniel  and  William  Friftoe,  Jeremiah 
Moore,  and  others,  were  early  fruits  of  elder  Tho- 
mas's miniftry.  Thefe  young  heralds,  uniting  their 
endeavours  with  thofe  of  the  more  experienced, 
greatly  accelerated  the  progrefs  of  the  gofpel.  The 
Separates  alfo,  in  the  more  fouthern  parts  of  the  flate, 
were  carrying  on  a  fimilar  work.  Thefe  fires  met 
in  Orange  county,  in  the  year  1767,  as  we  have  al- 
ready related  in  another  place.  Jealoufies  ariling 
between  them,  from  fome  caufe,  produced  the  un- 
happy divilions  which  continued  fo  long  to  diflurb 
their  peace.  The  breach  was  never  very  wide  between 
them ;  not  fo  wide  but  they  often  met  in  conferences, 
as  fellow  fufferers,  and  united  their  councils  to  con- 
trive plans  for  their  mutual  emancipation  from  ec- 
clefiailical  tyranny.  Before  the  year  1770,  the 
Regular  Baptifls  were  fpread  over  the  whole  coun- 
try, in  the  Northern  Neck  above  Fredericksburg, 
Between  1770  and  I780,  their  cords  ftill  continued 
to  be  lengthened.  Mr  Lunsfcrd,  a  young  but  ex- 
traordinary preacher,    carried  the  tidings   of  peace 

*"  See  his  biograplv'. 


2G6  general  history  of 

downwards,  and  planted  the  Redeemer's  llandard  in 
thole  counties  of  the  Northern  Neck  which  are  be- 
low I'rederickshur^.  Meilrs.  Corbley,  Sutton,  and 
liarnet  had  moved  over  the  Alleghany,  and  had  raif- 
ed  up  feveral  churches  in  th6  north  weft  counties,  as 
early  as  1775.  ^^'  J°^^^  Alderfon  had  gone  in  1777, 
to  Greenbrier,  and  in  a  fev/  years  raifed  up  a  people 
for  God  in  that  reeion.  Befides  thcfe,  there  were 
fome  others  who  moved  more  fouthward,  and  raifed 
up  a  few  churches.  During  the  time  of  the  great 
declenlion  in  Virginia,  the  Regulars  were  under  the 
cloud  as  well  as  their  brethren  the  Separates  ;  and 
they  alfo  participated  in  the  great  revival.  In  the 
year  1782,  only  twenty  three  were  baptized  in  the 
whole  of  the  churches^  in  the  Ketorton  Allbciation  -, 
whereas,  in  1789,  after  the  commencement  of  the 
great  revival,  the  returns  from  the  different  church- 
es amounted  to  three  hundred  and  fifty  nine.  Since 
the  great  reviv:>l,  the  Baptift  caufe  has  confiderably 
declined  in  miOil  parts  of  the  Ketod:cn  Allociation. 
Mr.  Frifloe,  in  his  history  of  this  afibciation,  ob- 
ferves,  **  that  very  few  young  minifters  have  been 
raifed  up  of  late  ;  and  that  the  number  of  members 
have  much  decreafed."  The  decreafe  is  certainly  not 
univcrfal:  tliere  are  fome  flourifliino-  churches  within 
the  diflrid:.  As  the  Baptiils  have  decreafed,  the 
^Methodids  in  many  places  have  increafed.  It  is  not 
fo  eafy  to  account  for  this  change.  Does  it  arife  from 
the  Arminian  dodrine  being  more  palatable  to  the 
felf-righteous  heart  of  man  ?  Or  have  they  been  more 
induftrious  in  propagating  their  dodlrines  ?  Or  have 
they  fucceeded,  as  in  fome  other  places,  in  driving 
the  i-aptift  preachers,  imperceptibly,  to  dwell  too 
much  upon  high  Calvanirtic  points,  to  the  negled:  of 
the  more  fimple,  but  more  important  .principles  of 
chriftianity?  If  we  were  to  calculate  principles  ac- 
cording to  the  weight  of  taleiits  l^y  which  they  are 
fupported,  Baptift  principles  ought  to  prevail  within 
"he   Ketodton  Aflociation  as  mr.ch  as  in  any    fecr 


tHE  REGULAR  BAPTISTS,  29"? 

tioii  of  Virginia,  if  not  more.  The  talent?  of  the 
Jpading  preachers  in  thofe  parts,  ftand  in  the  iirfl  row. 
After  all  is  faid,  the  adverfi ty  or  profperity  o^*  relT- 
gion,  in  any  place,  is  ofteri  wrapped  in  myftery  too 
dark  to  be  penetrated  by  mortal  vilion.  The  ways 
of  God  are  pail  finding  out.  It  is  not  impotHble,  be- 
fore this  generation  pafleth  away,  that  the  fon  of  man 
may  come  in  power  and  demonftration  of  his  fpirit> 
for  the  faivation  of  thoufands ,  and  quickly  place  his 
people  above  all  competition. 

Having  thus  given  a  general  account  of  the  rifq  and 
progrefs  of  the  tiegular  Baptids,  we  (hall  no  >v  pro- 
ceed to  furnifh  details  refpedling  their  proceedings  in 
$irociatiQn><  and  churches. 


N^' 


298 


HISTORY    OF   TilE 


TABLE  OP  KETOCTON  ASSOCIATION. 


> 

-<r 

Names  of 
Churches. 

5  S  ■ 
1' 

5.' 3 

By  luhom 
planted. 

Former 
Pajlors. 

Prefent 
Pajiors. 

Cannties. 

Ketocton 

1766 

19 

\.  Garrarii     J.  Garrard    f 

W.  Gil-        ILoudoa 

1 

J.  Marks 

more 

Latle 

R.  Majoi- 

River 

1769 

81 

75 

D.  Thomas 

i.  Hickerfon 

il.  Latham 

do 

New 

J.  Thomas 

Valley 

1767 

30 

30 

J.  Thomas 

W.  Thriit 

VV.  Gilmore 

dc 

Gool'e 

Creek 

t775 

37 

76 

none 

do 

Leelburg 

i8o3 

-7 

43 

W.  Thrift 

W.  Thrift 

none 

df 

Elicnezer 

1804 

19 

49 

W.  Friftoe 

V/.  Friftoe 

W.  Friftoe 

do 

N,  Fork 

1787 

30 

57 

A.  Weeks 

W.  Gilmore 

do 

Alexan- 

dria 

1803 

»5 

47 

J.  Moore       ' 

J.  Moore 

J.  Moore 

Fairfax    ' 

Frying 

i 

1 

Pan 

1791 

67 

45 

R.  Major 

R.  Major 

J.  Moore 

do 

Bull  Run 

1775 

126 

65 

R.  Major 

R.  Major 
T.  Bridges 

none 

do 

Difficult 

1775 

75 

J.  Moore 

do 

Popeshead 

t775 

121 

R.  Major 

li    Major 

do 

Otcoquon 

1776 

57 

69 

D.  Thomas 

D.  Thomas 

P.  Spiller 

Prince 

A'iliiam 

Chappa- 

W.Grin- 

wamfick 

3767 

100 

D.  Thomas 

W.  Friftoe 

ftead 

Stafford 

White. 

oak 

1791 

76 

95 

W.  Friftoe 

A.  Leach 

H.  Pitman 

do 

Hartwood 

I77> 

75 

99 

W.  Friftoe 
J.  Hickerlon 

E.Abel 

do 

Broad 

Kun 

1766 

63 

D- Thomas 

D.  Thomas 

W.  Fiiftoe 

Fauquier 

Thumb 

Run 

'77» 

22 

t04 

W.  Friftoe 

R.  Latham 

do 

Brent 

Town 

1773 

95 

36 

D.Jriftoe 

D.  Friftoe 

none 

do 

Uf  per  Car 

..  ■ 

ter's  Rur 

1784 

5o 

*3 

J.  Munroe 

J.  Munroe 

none 

do 

Long 

1 

Branch 

1786 

«5 

53 

J.  Munroe 

J.  Munroe 

W.  Grin- 

do      . 

Back 

ftead 

do  and 

Lick 

1782 

♦6 

97 

H.  Hagan 

H.  Hagan 

none 

Fairfax 

Hedge- 

J.  Moore 

man's 

do  and 

River 

1791 

100 

100 

J.  Hickerfon 

J.  Hickerfon 

none 

Culpepper 

South 

Shenando- 

River 

1783 

ZI 

20 

J.  Ireland 

J.  Ireland 

W.Northen 

ah 

"Wafer 

J.  Price 

S.O'Hen- 

Lick 

1787 

29 

52    J.  Price 

J.  Ireland 

dren 

do 

Happy 

J.  Ireland 

W.  Marfhal 

Creek 

1783 

64 

7* 

R.  Major 
W.  Marftial 

J.  Taylor 
J.  Price 
J.  Ireland 

B.  Dawfon 

Frederick 

B«t!»cl 

1808 

17 

53 

J.  Ireland 

S.O'Hin- 

drcn 

S.  0«Hen- 

r     c'r-.'. 

do 

€vETOCTON  ASSOCIATION, 


209 


T^BLE.pF  KETOCTON  ASSOCIATION. 

Concluded. 


g      ,i  ii;'.'i  "— 

-■^:< 

'^ 

7 

,   „ 

X:i!nes  of 

^S 

c  2 

5'  Z- 

■t    '3 

By  srhoiii 

Former 

Prc-cnt 

Counties 

Churches 

s  o 

l-i  •— 

3  '.? 

„ 

planted. 

pastors. 

pastjis. 

.':?  5- 

P 

3 

-■■-■    .  ,f» 

iJuck 
Marfli 


Zoar 
Millcreek 


Timber 
»   Ridge 
N.  River 
Crooked 

Run 

Patter- 

ibn's 

Creek 

Nanjemoy 


17721  56 


1799 
1766 


J1S09 
1737 

1790 


igo8 
'793 


19 


44 


297 


44 
38 


7 
5o 


17 
5o 


W.  and  D. 

Friltoe 


C.  Collins 
ri.  Loveall 

&—  Miller 


J.  Hutchin- 

ibn 
B.  Stone 


J.  Munroe 
A.  Leach 


J    Garrard 
K.  Major 
J.  Ireland 
C.Collins 
C.Collins 
H.  Loveiiil 
S    Hettoi> 
) .  Garrard 
D.  Thomas 
J.  Hutchin ' 

ion 
B.  Stone 

B.  Stone 


J.  Munroe 
A.  Le.uh 


,V.  Friftoe 


F.  Moore 
J.  Hutchin- 
lon 


Jf  Hutchin- 

fon 
J.  Munroe 

J.  Munroe 


J,  Munroe 
A  I.each 


Frederick 

lefferfon 
Berkley 

dp 

Hampfliirc 

do 


do 
ftate  of 
Maiyland 


N.  B.  The  churches  in  Italicks,  appeared  on  the  minutes  of  the  aflbciation 
for  many  years,  and  for  i'everal  years  of  late,  have  dil'appeartd  ;  from  which  it  is 
probable,  that  they  are  either  diflplved  or  have  changed  their  names.  All  tht 
churches  found  in  the  minutes  of  1809,  are  inferted,  except  Upper  Goofe  Creek, 
M'"hich  had  lately  joined  JCetodon,and  which  had  been  previouily  inferted  in  the 
'able  of  the  Culpepper  Allociation, 


CHAPTER  XXVil. 

The  Proceedings  of  the  KetoBon  JJfociation,  from 
their  firji  Conjiitution  until  this  Date, 

It  has  been  already  fliovyn,  that  the  iirfl  Regular 
Baptift  churches  in  Virginia  were  united  to  the  Phi- 
ladelphia Aflbciation  ;  but  held  yearly  meetings  among 
themielves,  in  which  many  things  were  attended  to, 
fuch  as  are  commonly  done  at  alTociations,  and  by 
which  they  were  ripened  for  independence.  In  !76'5, 
they  were  dilmified  from  the  Philadelphia  Aflbcia- 
tion J  and  on  the  igth  of  Augufl:,  1766,  they  met  by 
their  delegates  at  KetQci:on,  in  Loudon,     1  heir  flrfl: 


30©  HISTORY    OF    Tilt: 

meeting  being  at  Ketodon,  the  alTociation  took  that 
name.  There  were  only  four  churches  of  this  order 
in  V'irginia;  all  ol  whom  were  reprefented't>y  their 
delegates  as  follow  : 

Keiodion,  John  Marks,  John  Loyd. 
SniitJis  and  Li/nvitle'a  Creek,  John  Alderfon, 
Millcreeky  John  Garrard,  Ifaac  Sutton. 
Broadruii,  David  Thomas,  Jofeph  J.  Metcaff. 
The  minutes  of  this  aflbciation  fay  nothing  of 'their, 
appointment   for  moderator  or  clerk,  nor  of  their 
numbers,  nor  of  their  regulations  of  any  kmd,  except 
a  refolution  to  fend  to  the   Philadelphia   AlTociation 
for  inftrudions  with  regard  to  this  aflbciation.     By 
which  they  probably  meant  fuch  rules  and   regula- 
tions as  had  t>een,  or  lliould  be  advifed  by  the  mother 
aflbciation.     An  afFe(ftionate  and  exhortatory  circular 
letter  was  conne(fted  to  the  minutes. 

The  buiinefs  tranfaded  in  the  Ketodon,  is  fo  ana- 
logous to  that  of  the  other  affociations  already  com- 
mented on,  that  it  is  quite  unnecefl'ary  to  detail ;  w^e 
fhall  therefore,  in  a  kind  of  table,  reprefent  the  times 
and  places,  &c.  of  holding  the  affociations,  asd  then 
make  fome  few  general  remarks  upon  the  whole. 

The  firft  meeting  of  the  Ketodon  Aflbciation  in-  . 
eluded  the  third  Sunday  in  August  as  one  of  the  days 
on  which  they  were  together.  This  has  continued 
ever  fince.  The  day  of  affembling  has  been  changed 
from  Saturday  to  Friday,  and  from  Friday  to  Thurf- 
day ;  which  lafl:  has  continued  for  many  years. 
Thurfday  and  Friday  are  devoted  to  the  buiinefs  of 
the  affociation,  Saturday  and  Sunday  to  preaching  and 
public  minifl;rations.  Until  1770,  neither  the  num- 
l3er  baptized  nor  the  totals  are  minuted.  In  a  fev(' 
fubfequent  years  alfo  they  are  omitted. 


KETOCTON  ASSOCIATION, 


aoi 


Table  of  the  Times  and  Places  <5"c.  of  holding  the 
KetoBori  Ajjociatlon. 


^ 

C ' 

No.ofcorref- 

s 

■1 

Places  of  meeting. 

«-|- 

s 

ponding 

«* 

5    ^r, 
£1.  -^ 

Churches. 

1766 

■•Lctocton 

4 

7 

Vl  ill  Creeic 

6 

% 

smith  s  Cretk 

6 

9 

3road  Run 

8 

l7;o 

•Jhappavvaivifick 

J09 

624 

\o 

I 

••^iw  ValJe) 

275 

912 

10 

2 

vluuntain  Creek 

13 

3 

Little  River 

270 

1050 

.      17 

4 

Sren^  Town 

5 

Suck  Madh 

142 

'349 

23 

6 

!Vlount  Poney 

82 

134.1 

20 

7 

?opeshead 

59 

1322 

8 

Jhappawimfick 

14 

836 

1.5 

9 

t-5road  Run 

4» 

1059 

17 

1780 

3uliRun 

57 

H54 

»9 

J 

:-jcneca 

58 

1037 

17 

? 

Mill  Creek 

23 

103s 

20 

s 

ICetoflon 

38 

1007 

21 

4 

Srent  Town 

33 

IC41 

2» 

5 

vVater  Lick 

31 

94.8 

»3 

6 

Goofe  Creek 

21 

624. 

14- 

7 

Chappawamiick 

79 

995 

26 

S 

-.uck  Marflx 

168 

1141 

28 

9 

Sroad  Run 

359 

1372 

26 

Oct. 

3789 

cVater  Lick 

12 

486 

10 

J790 

Ooole  Creek 

21 

624. 

H 

I 

Opeckon 

55 

667 

i5 

2 

Long  Branch 

i94 

2005 

19 

3 

Water  Lick 

138 

2187 

34 

4 

Little  River 

32 

2017 

3r 

5 

Gool'e  Creek 

39 

1898 

3« 

6 

rimmb  Run 

38 

1882 

33 

32 

7 

Prying  Pan 

48 

1820 

ii 

Broad  Run 

90 

184.6 

3i 

9 

G  i  ove 

.^3 

1786 

11 

i8go 

Back  Lick 

35 

1719 

3* 

I 

riappy  Creek 

102 

1780 

31 

2 

Little  River 

216 

1901 

30 

3 

Suck  Marfli 

355 

1853 

3i 

4 

Broad  Run 

143 

1831 

31 

5 

Chumb  Run 

94 

1598 

25 

c 

Frying  Pan 

126 

2005 

31 

7 

Opeckon 

64 

S 

Ebenezer 

185 

2004 

23 

9 

>Jew  Valley 

153 

2036 

3« 

^.^U:;  lllbTORY    OF    TilL 

Tn  17 S 9,  the  Ketofton  AiTociation  was  divided 
into  two,  by  a  line  running  from  the  Potomac 
a  foiith  courfc.  The  diflrii^  above  this  line  retain- 
ed the  name  Ketoflon,  the  other  was  called  Chap- 
pawamfick.  The  didricls  met  feparatelv  until  1792, 
when  they  again  united.  Some  attempts  at  a  diviliou 
have  fince  been  made,  but  have  not  fucceeded. 

For  more  than  twenty  years  after  the  ailbciation 
was  organized,  the  cuftom  of  laying  on  hands  upon 
all  pcrfons  immediately  after  they  were  baptized,  was 
invariably  prad:ifed  in  this  allociation.  It  was  an  ar- 
ticle in  their  confeffion  of  faith,  and  the  want  of  it, 
was  deemed  by  many  a  bar  to  pommunion.  After 
the  great  revival,  firft  the  neceffity,  and  then  the  pro- 
priety of  it,  began  to  be  queilioned,  until  it  was  final- 
ly difufed ;  and  in  the  revifal  of  the  confeffion  of 
iaith  that  article  was  expunged. 

In  1 79 1 ,  a  cafe  was  brought  before  the  affociation 
which  produced  conliderable  agitation  James  Hut- 
chinfon,  who  was  born  in  New  Jerfey,  but  raifed  in 
Loudon  county,  Virginia,  had  gone  to  Georgia,  and 
there  fiift  became  a  Methodiil  and  then  a  Baptill 
preacher.  Previous  to  his  joining  the  Baptifts  he  had 
been  baptized  by  a  IMcthodift  preacher.  When  he 
offered  to  join  the  Baptifls  of  Georgia,  it  was  made  a 
queftion  whether  his  baptifm,  being  performed  by  an 
unbaptized  perlon,  was  valid.  The  Georgia  Baptifts 
decided  that  it  was  valid.        «; 

In  the  year  above  rnentioned,  Mr.  Hutchinfon 
came  to  Virginia  to  lee  his  relations  in  Loudon  coun- 
ty. V\  hile  he  was  there,  his  preaching  became  ef- 
fedtual  to  the  converfion  of  many.  Mr  Hutchinfon 
baptized  them.  Thefe  things  fhrred  up  the  quefti- 
on  in  the  Ketocton  Affociation,  whether  the  baptifm 
of  Hutchinfon  and  his  new  difciples,  was  valid,  'j'he 
deciiion  here,  was  juft  the  reverfe  of  the  decifion  in 
Georgia  They  determined  not  to  receive  either  him 
or  thofe  baptized  by  him,  unless  they  would  fubmit 
to  be  rebaptized.     After  feme  time  they  confented. 


KETOCTON  ASSOCIATION.  SxJS 

dnd  the  ordinance   was  readminiftered.     Their  pro- 
ceeding on  this  occalion,  was  more  ftrid  than  that  of 
any  other  alTociation  upon  the  fame  fuhjed.     The 
queftion  has  been  before  moll:  of  the  alTociations,  at 
one  time  or  other  •  and  in  every  other  inllance  they 
either  deemed  it  unnecelfary  to  rebaptize,  or  leit  it  to 
the  confcience  of  the  party  to  be  rebaptized  or  not. 
The  arguments  were :  That  the  mod  important  pre - 
requifite  to  baptifm  was  faith  in  the  fubjetft.     That, 
although  it  was  expedient  to  have  a   fixed   rule  for 
qualifying  perfons  for  the  adminiftration  of  the  ordi- 
nances, yet  the  want  of  fuch  qualifications  in  the  ad- 
miniftrator,  ought  not  to  be  viewed  as  having  futhcient 
weight  to  invalidate  the  baptifm*   On  the  other  hand 
it  was  argued  :   that  if  fuch  baptifm  was  fandioned, 
every  thing  like  ordination  might  be  difpenfed  with  : 
That,  ordination  was  not  only  expedient,  but  an  in- 
ilitution  of  the  bible,   and  therefore  indifpenlible  : 
That  fuch  proceedings,  if  allowed,  might  go  to  great 
lengths,  and,  ultimately,  produce  confulion. 

About  the  fame  time  the  alTociation  was  confulted 
as  to  the  propriety  of  a  church's  requiring  of  each 
of  her  members  to  contribute  to  the  expenfes  of  the 
church  according  to  their  property .  The  afTociation 
determined  that  a  regulation  of  that  kind  in  a  church 
was  lawful,  and  that  perfons  that  would  not  fubmit  to 
it  deferved  to  be  excluded  from  the  privileges  of  the 
church,  it  was  eafy  for  the  church  to' ask,  and  for 
the  affociation  to  give  her  advice  ;  the  corredtnefs  of 
which  cannot  be  doubted  upon  right  principles.  But 
"it  was  not  quite  fo  eafy  to  execute.  The  attempt 
was  made  in  fom.e  of  the  churches,  but  in  confequence 
of  the  violent  oppofition  it  met  with,  tliey  delifled 
:?rom  it.  ' 

In  1787,  the  lawfulnefs  of  hc;reditary  Havery  was 
debated  in  this  afibeiation.  They  determined  thjit 
hereditary  llavery  was  a  breach  of  the  divine  law. 
They  then  appointed  a  committee  to  bring  in  a  plan 
iOf  gradual   emancipation  ;  which    was   accordingly 


304.  illSTORY   OF   Tiin 

done.  They  were  treading  upon  delicate  ground. 
It  excited  conliderable  tumult  in  the  churches ;  and 
accordingly,  in  their  letters  to  the  next  alTociation, 
they  remonftrated  fo  decidedly,  that  the  affociation 
refolved  to  take  no  farther  fteps  in  the  bufinefs. 

The  afTociation  took  up  the  fubjedl  of  the  General 
Meeting  of  Correfpondence,  at  different  periods;  but 
in  every  inftance  decided  againft  encouraging  it. 
There  are  however,  within  the  limits  of  the  diftrid:, 
a  very  refpeclable  party  who  are  favourable  to  the 
iniHtution  of  the  General  Meeting ;  and  it  is  hoped, 
that  at  no  very  diftant  day,  the  whole  affociation  will 
difcover  how  requifite  fuch  a  meeting  is,  towards  pre- 
ferving  peace  and  uniformity,  among  a  great  people. 

rhe  oliirje  of  moderator  has  been  difcharged  by 
Meffrs.  Friiloe,  Moore,  and  Munroe,  alternately; 
each  of  whom  feems  to  poflefs  the  qualifications  re- 
quifite to  fill  the  chair  with  dignity  and  skill. 

Their  flanding  clerk,  for  many  years,  has  been  Mr. 
Thomas  Buck.  It  is  not  prefumable  they  will  want 
any  other,  as  long  as  he  is  willing  and  able  to  a6ti 


CHAPTER  XXVlIf. 

liiftorkal  Sketches  of  the  Churches  in  the  KetoBoTt 
AJfociation. 

KETOCTON. 

Of  the  origin  of  this  mother  church  fome  account 
has  been  already  given  in  the  general  hillory  of  the 
Regular  Baptiils.  After  Mr.  Garrard  had  removed 
to  Millcreek,  the  care  of  the  church  fell  to  elder 
John  Marks.  From  the  time  that  their  numbers 
firfl  appear  on  the  minutes,  until  the  prefent  day, 
there  has  been  very  little  variation.  From  which 
we  infer,  that  their  courfe  has  been  even  and  fmooth. 

Elder  J.  Marks,  mentioned  above,  moved  from 


S:ETO€tON   ASSOCIATION.  305 

Penniylvania  into  Virginia,  either  with  Mr  Gar- 
rard or  about  the  flune  time.  He  was  rather  at  an 
advanced  ilage  of  lifel  when  he  came ;  but  fettling  in 
a  healthy  country,  and  being  very  temperate  and  re- 
gular in  his  life,  he  lived  to  be  very  old.  He  died 
about  the  year  17B6;  having  from  fir-ft  to  laft  main-, 
tained  a  fpotlefs  reputation  for  piety  and  fleadineis. 

As  a  preacher,  he  was  found  and  fenfibie,  yet  cold 
and  phlegmatic  Being  a  poor  man  and  obli<.T'ed  to 
labour  for  his  fupport,  hi!  minifterial  fervices  were 
confined  within  a  fmall  circle.  To  this  circumilance, 
added  to  his  cold  and  dry  method,  may  be  afcribed 
his  not  being  more  fuccefsful.  For  fome  years,  this 
mother  church  v/as  without  any  regular  paftor.  Mr. 
William  Gilmore,  a  warm  and  active  preacher  from 
Maryland,  having  lately  fettled  within  the  limits  of 
a  neigbouring  church,  has  confented  to  attend  them 
flatedly. 

LITTLE  RIVER 

Was  fome  of  the  early  fruits  of  Rev  D.  Thomas's 
ininiftry  in  Virginia.  In  this  work,  however,  he 
was  powerfully  aided  by  Rev.  Richard  Major,  their 
firft  pailor.  For  although  the  firft  feed  were  fown 
by  Mr,  Thomas,  yet  Mr.  'Vfajor  watered  and  nour- 
ilhed  the  plants  until  he  brought  them  to  perfedion. 
So  rapidly  did  the  gofpel  fpread  in  this  church,  that 
juft  two  years  after  they  were  conftituted,  they  were 
themoft  numerous  church  in  the  aflbciation  ;  having 
two  hundred  and  feventy  two  members.  Her 
branches,  however,  extended  into  the  neighbouring 
parts.  When  any  of  thefe  branches  became  fuffici- 
ently  numerous,  they  were  conftituted  into  new 
churches ;  by  which,  tl:^  mother  church  was  redu- 
ced in  numbers  During  Mr.  Major's  life,  they 
were  a  happy  and  united  people,  greatly  attached  to 
their  minifter.  After  his  death,  they  were  without 
atiy  regular  pailor  for  fome  y^ars.    Lately,  they  have 


iiOti  ■        HISTORY    OF    lilE 

choleii  Rev.  Robert  Latham  as  their  paftor,  who  is 
a  man  of  gifts,  and  who  ncglecis  not  the  gifts  that  are 
in  him, 

NEW  VALLEY 

^  Was  formed  partly  by  emigrants  from  Pennfyl- 
vania,  and  partly  by  converts  in  Virginia.  Their 
firfl  paflor  moved  from  Great  Valley,  in  Pennfylva- 
nia,  and  fettling  here,  took  the  care  of  this  church. 
He  was  not  much  diftiil^uiflied  j  and  the  church 
feems  to  have  trodden  in  his  fteps,  as  to  her  religious 
profperity.  She  was  reprefented  by  her  paftor  in  the 
allbciations,  until  177B.  After  that  time,  her  name 
appears  no  more  upon  the  minutes  until  1793,  and 
then  flie  has  only  thirteen  members.  For  eight  or 
ten  years  after  this,  they  feem  ftill  to  have  been  a  dc- 
clming  people  i  but  for  four  or  five  years  paftjthey  ap- 
pear to  be  looking  up.  Mr.  Gilmore's  labours  here, 
as  well  as  in  mofl:  of  the  places  where  he  preaches, 
fcem  to  be  attended  by  a  divine  blefling. 

GOOSE  CREEK. 

This  church  exhibits  proof  how  much  good  may 
be  done  by  ad;ive  and  intelligent  private  members ; 
v/ho,  like  Aquila  and  Prifcilla,  are  willing  to  be 
helpers  in  Chrijl  Jefus,  It  does  not  appear,  during 
the  thirty  five  years  they  have  been  ading  as  a 
church,  that  they  ever  had  any  regular  paftor ;  and 
yet  there  are  few  churches  in  the  alTociation  whofe 
courfe  has  been  more  profperous.* 

LEESBURG  and  EBENEZER. 

Thefe  are  young  churches  that  have  not  been  dif- 
.      .         * 

*  The  compiler  thinks  it  worthy  of  note,  that  in  his  frequent 
and  diligent  refearches  of  the  minutes  of  the  aflbciation,  he  has 
not  obfeived  a  finglc  feflion  in  which  this  church  has  not  been  re- 
pi'efented.  lie  hag  not  been  informed  of  her  internal  order  ;  but 
.  lie  infers  from  what  he  has  iaarned,  that  fhe  is  at  home  as  well  as 
ubrcacl,  a' dutiful  and  obedient  daughter  of  Salem, 


KEtOCTOX  ASSOCIATION.  .%? 

tinguifhed  for  any  thing  very  remarkable.  Neither 
of  them  at  prefenthave  any  refident  paftor.  Ebenc- 
zer  has  however  the  ftated  fervices  of  William  Frif- 
toe.  Leesburg  is  frequently  vifited  by  Jeremiah 
Moore.  Thefe  old,  faithful,  and  laborious  fervants 
of  the  moft  high  God,  through  the  fcarcity  of  preach- 
ers, are  under  the  ncceffity  offerving  feveral  congre- 
gations belides  thofc  in  which  they  are  refidents. 

NORTliFORK. 

This  church  was  once  under  the  care  of  elder  Al- 
derfon  Weeks,*  a  preacher  of  acceptance  and  ufeful- 
nefs.  Of  late,  elder  William  Gilmore  has  become 
their  partor;  and  under  his  miniftry  God  has  granted 
them*a  precious  revival.  Returns  of  twenty  fix  bapti- 
zed, were  made  to  the  laftafTociation,  and  the  work  was 
il:ill  going  on.  Mr.  Gilmore  is  fpoken  of  as  a  young 
preacher  of  good  talents,  and  who  is  willing  alio  to 
occupy  them.*  ** 

ALEXANDRIA, 

In  the  city  of  that  name,  though  not  a  large,  is  a 
refpecStable  church.  They  are  the  fruits  of  elder 
Moore's  minifterial  labours,  and  with  whom  they 
are  a  very  favourite  people ;  while  they  on  their  part, 
reciprocate  his  tender  regard.  What  more  glorious 
fight  on  earth,  than  a  pious  and  afifed:ionate  people 
receiving  the  tidings  of  peace  and  falvation,  from  pi- 
ous, animating,  and  affectionate  minifters  ?  The  Me- 
thodifls  have  taken  the  k  ad  of  late  years,  in  Alexan- 
dria :  indeed,  in  moil  of  the  large  towns  in  Virginia, 
they  have  greatly  out-ltripped  the  other  chrilliaa 
fe6ts.  Whether  their  government  being  more  ener- 
getic than  that  of  the  Baptifls,  is  on  that  account 
better  adapted  to  the  diforderly  habits  of  a  town  -,  or 
whether  their  frequent  change  of  preachers  tends  to 

*  Mr.  Weeks,  the  firft  paflor  of  this  church,  moved  to  Bedford, 
and  there  has  the  care  of  a  church.  Wc  prefiinie  it  is  tlie  fame 
nan. 


$QB  HiSTOilY   OF   THL 

gratify  that  tafte,  which,  (like  that  of  the  Athenians), 
prompts  them  to  ttll  or  to  hear  fomc  new  tiling;  of 
whether,  having  influence  with  their  preachers,  they 
flation  their  belt  ones  in  populous  cities,  ^  which  is 
not  the  cale  with  the  Haptifls);  cannot  be  eaiily  de- 
cided, rhe  friends  of  the  llaptifts,  in  fome  places, 
hope,  that  at  no  diilant  day,  the  fcene  will  be  changed. 

TKYING  PAN 

Has  been  a  larger  chuFch  than  it  is  at  prefent. 
Many  of  the  members  moving  to  other  parts,  and 
there  being  little  or  no  revival  to  fill  up  the  vacancies, 
they  have  for  fome  years  had  rather  difcouraging 
profpeds . 

Elder  Jeremiah  Moore,  their  prefent  paftor,  is  itbout 
iixty  four  years  of  age.  He  was  born  7th  of  June, 
1746,  in  the  county  of  Prince  William,  of  parents  in 
the  middle  rank  of  life,  and  raifed  in  the  Proteftant 
Epifcopal  church.  At  about  feventeen  years  of  age, 
he  heard  Rev.  David  Thomas  preich  ;  by  which  his 
thoughts  were  turned  upon  facrei  things.  He  had 
never  given  into  the  daring  vices  of  the  age,  but  was 
rather  virtuoufly  inclined,  having  from  a  very  early 
period,  iiad  fome  legal  notions  of  religion.  His  con- 
victions were  extremely  pungent,  and  lafted  a  confi- 
derabie  length  of  time.  At  laft  a  revelation  of  the 
Redeemer's  fuUnefs  to  fave  the  greateft  of  finners, 
was  made  to  his  mind,  and  he  rejoiced  in  the  hope  of 
his  gloiy.  His  firfl:  profeflion  of  grade,  was  in  the 
year  1772,  and  he  foon  was  baptized. 

Mr.  Moore  is  not  only  a  preacher  but  a  writer. 
He  publiflied  a  few  years  fince,  two  or  three  treat- 
ifes  in  defence  of  his  principles  -,  in  which  very  con-r 
iiderable  ii^genuity  is  difplayed. 

His  call  to  the  miniltry  has  fomething  worthy  of 
note.  His  mind  being  p^evioiifly  much  agitated  be- 
tween his  imprellions  to  preach,  and  his  apprehen- 
iions  of  unworthinefs,  God  decided  his  doubts,  by 
imprelling  upon  his  m^nd,  in  a  diftingui(hed  manner. 


KETppTON  ASSOCIATION.  309 

thefe  words :  "  NegkSi  not  the  gift  that  is  in  thee;" 
followed  quickly  by  thefe  :  **  Studj  iojhow  thy  (elf 
approved  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  ajhanied.'* 
After  this,  he  commenced  preaching,  fully  perfuaded, 
weak  as  he  felt  himfelf,  that  God  had  called  him. 
Perfecut.ion  and  afflidion  are  faid  to  be  proof  of  ami- 
uilter's  call.  Mr.  Moore  foon  had  this,  proof.  In. 
1773,  while  he  was  preaching  in  the  bounds  of  the 
church  called  Difficult,  a  magiilrate  attended  by  the 
reilor  of  the  parilli,  had  him  arrefted  by  a  conllable 
and  ordered  to  prifon^  His  mittimus  was  written  in 
thefe  remarkable  words :  **  I  fend  you  herewith  the 
body  of  Jeremiah  Moore,  who  is  a  preacher  of  the 
gofpel  of  Jefu«  Chrilf,  and  alio  a  ilroller,"  bcc. 
This  was  fomewhat  fimilar  to  Pilate's  infcribing  over 
the  crofs  of  Chrift,  "  Jejas  of  Nazareth  King  of  the 
Jews,"  Mr.  Moore  efcaped  this  imprifonment  by 
obtaining  legal  licenfe  for  places  of  preaching. 

At  another  time,  a  lawlefs  mob,  headed  by  two 
magiflrates  feized  Mr.  Moore,  and  another  preacher 
that  was  with  him,  and  carried  them  oif  to  duck 
them.'  After  they  had  ducked  Mr.  Moore's  compa- 
nion, they  difcharged  them  both.  'I  hefe,  added  to  the 
feoffs  and  ignominious  reproaches  unjuiliy  thrown 
upon  him,  were  a  part  of  his  eaidy  fufferings  in  his 
Mailer's  fervice.  .  It  is  now  little  lefs  than  forty 
years  lince  he  began  to  preach,  during  all  which  time 
he  has  laboured  with  increaiing  diligence.* 

In  point  df  talents  Mr.  Moore  certainly  ftands 
in  the  front  rov/  of  Virginia  preachers.  His  perfon 
and  voice  are ,  extremely  advantageous  ;  his  flyle  is 
llrong  and  energetic,  and  indeed  elegant ;  efpecially 
as  he  had  not  the  advantages  of  a  rehned  education ; 
his  ideas  are  brilliant,  and  really  flow  upon  him 
fo  abundantly,  that  by  Ibme  of  his  friends  it  has  been 

*  In  1795,  Mr.  Moore  preached^  at  a  General  Committee,  in 
Louifa,  vyhere  the  compiler  heard  him  obferve,  thut  he  had  tra- 
velled and  preached  diftances  fufficient  to  i^ach  twice  round  the 
world.     He  has  lolt  no  time  lince  that. 


HISTORY    OF    THK 


thought  rather  a  hurt,  as  it  prevented  him  from  ma- 
king fo  clear  an  arrangement  as  he  might  otherwife 
do.  He  is  well  verfcd  in  the  fcriptures  ;  and  with- 
out doubt,  often  gives  hicid  explanations  of  myfterious 
texts.  His  fydem  is  high  Calvinifm,  which  he 
preaches  with  great  ingenuity :  and  indeed,  fomc  of 
his  warmeft  friends  are  of  opinion,  tliat  his  talents 
and  temper  tending  that  way,  has  fometimes  prompt- 
ed him  to  enter  unfeafonably  upon  the  mysterious' 
points  in  that  fyftem  ;  and,  thereby  to  deal  out  to 
weak  ilomachs,  meats  too  flrong  for  tlieir  digeftion. 
His  talent  for  pulpit  fatire,  is  probably  equal  to  any 
man's  in  Virginia.  This  he  is  thought,  ibmetimes, 
to  throw  out  rather  too  lavirtily  upon  his  opponents. 
Solomon  fays.  Though  ijou  hray  a  fool  in,  a  mortar^ 
yet  will  not  his  fooilfliucfs  depart  from  him.  If  that 
be  corred:,  then  it  is  better  fometimes,  nol  to  anjbcr 
a  foot  according  to  his  iollij. 

Finally,  admitting  thcfc  inaccuracies,  yet  it  is 
doubtful  whether  any  preacher  in  Virginia  has  run  a 
more  honourable  courfethan  Mr.  Moore;  honourable 
to  his  God,  honourable  to  himfelf,  and  honour^le  to 
liis  people.  His  age  foretells,  that  the  crown  of  glory 
will  not  await  him  much  longer, 

BULL  RUN 

Has  been  a  more  numerous  church  than  at  prefent. 
When  the  gofpel  was  carried  here  by  the  admirable 
and  amiable  Richard  Major,  a  great  revival  of  religi- 
on arofe  ;  fo  that  in  a  little  time  a  church  was  confti- 
tuted,  having  one  hundred  and  twenty  fix  members. 
From  the  conftitution  of  new  churches,  &c.  their 
number  had  become  fomewHat  reduc-ed,  until  about 
1792,  they  had  the  fmiies  of  heaven,  and  large  addi- 
tions were  made.  Not  many  lefs  than  a  hunaied  were 
baptized;  by  which  this  church  rofe  to  higher  prof- 
perity  than  Ihe  had  e\'cr  previoully  enjoyed.  After 
the  lofs  of  Mr.  Major,  they  employed  Thomas  Bridg- 
es as  theirpreacher.    His  condudt  while  among  them. 


KETOGTON  ASSOCIATION.  311 

was  approved  of,  as  far  as  it  was  known  ;  infomuch, 
that  when  he  left  them,  they  gave  him  a  letter  of 
commendation.  It  was  after  he  left  them,  that  his 
nefarious  pradices  were  made  manifeft.* 

DIFFICULT  AND  POPESHExVD 

Were  once  large  and  increafing  churches,  being  the 
mother  of  many  pious  and  ufeful  members ;  many 
of  whom  moved  off  to  the  weftern  country.  See 
the  note  under  the  Ketodon  table. 

OCCOQUON 

Is  the  only  church  wholly  in  Prince  William  coun- 
ty. She  v/as  raifed  under  the  miniftry  of  David 
Thomas,  and  had  him  as  their  paftor  for  fom.e  time. 
Their  prefent  paftor  is  elder  Philip  Spiller,  a  preach- 
er who  confines  his  labours  chieily  to  his  own  vicini- 
ty.    His  church  has  rather  increafed,  of  late  years. 

CHAPPAWAMSICK. 

This  church  has  been  much  diftinguifhed  among 
her  lifter  churches,  in.  the  Keto^lon  Aftbciation. 
From  her,  have  been  conftituted  feveral  of  the  nei'j;h- 
bouring  churches;  and  in  her,  v/ere  raifed  fome  of  the 
moft  eminent  minifters  of  the  gofpel,  that  have  ever 
appeared  in  the  aflbciation;  WtUiam  and  Daniel 
I'nftoe,  eremiah  Vioore,  and  William  Grinftead, 
are  all  fons  of  C'happawamlick. 

When  Mr.  Thomas  firft  began  to  preach  in  thefe 
parts,  he  met  with  violent  oppofition.  Public  wor- 
Ihip  was  fometimes  prevented  by  the  enemies  of  re- 
ligion. To  pleaie  God  is  to  offend  the  devil.  Satan 
felt  his  throne  iliake,  and  was  determined  to  prop  it 
svith  the  pillars  of  darknefs.     Perfecution,  feoffs,  re- 

*  Of 'late,  the  compiler  has  had  an  opportunity  of  frequently 
feeing  Bridges  in  the  penitentiary.     He  prottfTcs  to  have  repent- 
ed, and  to  hope  that  he  has  obtainecl  pardon  of'od  for  all  his 
crimes.     His  k^'^-^p'-^v  "n:l  ''.''  -w  rrif-'nors  f''-  '^  —  '"  ■  ■^""  "■■'■••'■. 
ly  reformed 


313  ftlSTORY   OF   THE 

preaches,  falfe  reports,  &c.  were  tried  ;  but  all  in 
vain.  They  fell  before  the  gofpel,  as  the  walls  of 
Jericho  fell  before  the  blowing  of  the  ranis'  horns. 
Mr.  Thomas  fowed  the  firft  feed  ;  which  were  water- 
ed by  his  minifterial  fons  William  and  Daniel  Frif- 
toe,  and  in  a  few  years,  by  Mr.  Moore  alfo.  So  ra- 
pidly did  the  word  increafe  among  thein,  that  in 
1770,  three  years  after  the  conflitution,  they  had  one 
hundred  and  feventy  fix  members.  And  the  follow- 
ing year,  after  difmiffing  thirty  fix  members  to  form 
the  Potomac  church,  they  had  remaining  two  hun- 
dred and  twelve.  The  next  year  difmiffing  ninety 
feven  at  once,  to  form  Brent  Tov/n  church,  they 
v/ere  reduced  to  116.  From  this  period,  Chappa- 
wam.fick  gradually  declined  for  many  years.  Willi- 
am Friflioe  had  fallen  into  Potomac,  and  Daniel  in- 
to IVent  Town ;  fo  that  the  mother  church  was  rather 
dc/litute.  About  1786,  William  Friftoe  returned 
and  continued  among  them  for  many  years.  In  the 
great  revival,  about  1791  and  1792,  this  church  arofe 
from  the  dufl  and  put  on  her  garments  of  praife. 
Her  num.ber  from  being  very  fmall,  increased  to 
nearly  a  hundred  :  after  the  revival  fubfided,  ano- 
ther winter  fucceeded.  Times  grew  fo  difcouraging, 
that  Mr.  Frifioe  had  ferious  fears  that  God  had  re- 
moved the  candleflick,  and  that  he  would  no  more 
be  gracious  to  the  people  of  this  vicinity.  Wilh 
thefe  impreflions,  he  moved  fome  diftance  up  the 
country.  This  took  place  about  180 1  or  1802.  A 
few  years  previous  to  Mr,  Frirtoe's  removal,  Mr. 
\yilliam  Grinftead  had  been  baptized.  Mr.  Frifioe 's 
dejecftcd  feelings  were  caught  by  Mr.  Grinftead. 
He  was  filled  with  anxiety.  At  length  he  felt  im- 
preflions to  look  out  for  a  remedy.  He  himfelf  be- 
gan to  exhort ;  and  from  that  to  preach.  God  fmi- 
led ;  his  labours  were  blefled ;  and  more  than  fixty 
added  to  the  church.  '  **  God  works  in  a  myflerious 
way."  Had  Mr.  Frifioe  continued,  Mr.  Grinflead 
according  to  human  views,  might  not  have  become 


KETOCTON  ASSOCIATION.  313 

a  preacher.  Under  elder  Grinllead's  miniftry,  they 
have  been  a  happy  people.  Mr.  Grinflead  is  a  po- 
pular preacher,  of  plealing  manners,  and  extenlive 

Elder  William  Frifloe,  though  a  confidcrablc  dif- 
tanceoff,  is  ihll  a  member  of  v  happawamfick.  He 
was  born  about  1748,  in  the  county  of  Stafford.  At 
a  very  carlv  period  of  life,  he  heard  the  gofpel  from 
the  mouth  of  David  Thomas.  He  became  feriously 
impreffedj  and  Urove  to  do  many  things  in  a  legal 
way,  to  obtain  divifje  favour.  When  every  refuge 
railed,  he  cafl  his  care  upon  Chrifl: ;  and  found  in 
hitn  a  rich  fuoply  of  pardoning,  faving  love.-  Al- 
though but  a  mere  youth,  he  felt  impreffions  to 
preach  ;  and  accordingly,  at  about  nineteen  years  of 
age,  he  began  to  appear  in  public  for  that  facred  par- 
pofe.  He  demeaned  himself  with  fo  much  gravity 
and  prudence,  that  no  man  could  clef  pi  fe  his  youth. 
As  he  grew  older,  he  extended  his  labours  to  more 
diftant  parts.  Wherever  he  went,  his  preaching  was 
more  or  lefs  effedlud  in  the  falvation  of  finners. 
Some  of  the  moll  eminent  preachers  in  Virginia, 
owned  him  as  their  fpirituai  father,  Lunsford,  Ma- 
fon,  Hickerfon,  with  feverai  others,  received  the  ti- 
dings of  peace  from  his  lips.  In  1774,  when  about 
twenty  fix  years  of  age,  he  was  chofen  moderator  to 
the  alTociation,  although  all  the  older  preachers  \vere 
prefent.  From  that  time,  he  often  difcharged  the 
duties  of  that  office.  His  zeal,  like  a  lamp  fed  by 
inexhauilible  ftores  of  oil,  has  never  been  extmguilh- 
ed;  indeed,  has  feldom  burnt  dim.  Forty  three 
years  oi  zcearinefs  and  pamfidncjs  have  not  yet  made 
him  weary  in  well  doing.  His  infirmities  of  body, 
for  many  years,  have  been  conil.int  -y  yet,  maugre  ail, 
he  travels  almoft  incelfantly,  and  deals  out  the  food 
of  life  to  the  hungry  flocks.  He  attends  three  or 
four  different  congreg.itions  llatedly^  and  thffe  at  a 
coniiderable  diilance  from  each  other. 

P2 


.-vi-i  HISTORY    OF    TllL 

111  tlie  pulpit,  though  not  verfed  in  the  learning  of 
the  fchools,  hedifplays  abilities,  which  many  dodors 
of  divinity  have  not  attained.  His  language,  though 
plain,  is  ftrong  and  nervous.  His  manner  is  folemn, 
as  one  having  authority.  He  is  a  ftrong  Calvinift  in 
his  principles,  and  preaches  them  full  as  much  as  is 
proper.  iVlr.  Friftoe's  age  and  infirmities  indicate 
that  he  will  be  fent  for  ere  long,  to  receive  his  re- 
ward . 

Mr.  Frifloe,  by  the  appointment,  or  rather,  at  the 
leaued:  of  the  Ketodon  Aflbciatio]!,  undertook  to 
write  her  hiilory.  His  book  came  out  in  the  year 
1809. 

WHITE-OAK 

.Appears  firil  on  the  minutes  of  the  aficciation,  in 
ihe  year  179  - ,  ha.ving  been  taken  off  from  Hartwood, 
tind  conftituted  under  the,*  care  of  Andrew  Leach, 
He  continued  paftor  for  many  years,  during  which, 
they  had  many  trials  as  well  as  comforts.  A  few 
years  paft,  he  removed  to  Nanjemo}',  in  Maryland, 
^ince  his  removal,  they  have  obtained  the  minif- 
terial  attention  of  elder  Hipkins  Pitman,  a  refident 
within  the  bounds  of  Golhen  Ailbciation  -,  in  con- 
fcqucnce  of  which,  they  were  difmiffed  in  1809,  to 
join  the  Goflicn.  They  have  had  a  fmall  revival  of 
late. 

HARTWOOD. 

'i'his  church  was  formerly  called  Potomac,  but 
in  1785,  changed  its  name  to  Hartwood.  They  were 
under  the  care  of  elder  William  Frifloe.  Mr.  Frif- 
toe  remarks  in  his  hidory  of  the  KetoCton  AfTccia- 
tion,  that  "  the  weaknefs  of  her  members  in  com- 
mon, was  fuch,  that  (he  was  fcarcely  ever  able  to  di- 
xqOl  her  own  difcipline  :  yet  out  of  her  arofe  a  num- 
ber of  ufeful,  and  fome  very  eminent  gifts,  viz.  Luns- 
•brd,  Mafon,  Hickerfon,  and  feveral  others  that  are 
!':*is  kjiown  abroiid/'      Mr.  Friilce  was  their  minif- 


KETOGTON  ASSOCIA.TIQN.  31.3 

ter  for  feveral  years,  during  which  time  the  above 
preachers- were  raifed  up.  After  he  ceafed  to  adb  as 
partor,  they  obtained  the  miniflerial  fer vices  of  elder 
John  Hickerfon- 

Since  his  death  Ephraim  Abel  attends  them  in  the 
charadter  of  paftor. 

In  this  church  arofe  James  Garrard,  late  governor 
of  Kentucky,  While  in  Virginia,  he  was  diflin- 
guifhed  by  his  fellow  citizens,  and  elected  to  the  af- 
fembly  and  to  military  appointments.  After  h.e 
moved  to  Kentucky,  he  began  to  preach,  and  was 
thought  to  poiTefs  talents  for  the  pulpit.  He  conti- 
nued to  preach  until  he  was  made  governor.  For 
the  honours  of  men,  he  refigned  the  office  of  God. 
He  rclinquilhed  the  clerical  robe,  for  the  more  fplen-- 
did  mantle  of  human  pov/er.  The  prophet  fays  to 
Afa,  "  if  ye  forfake  God  he  will  forfake  you."  It 
is  not  ftrange,  that  colonel  Garrard,  after  fuch  a 
courfe,  fliould  fall  into  many  foolilli  and  hurtful 
fnares ,  While  governor,  he  had  for  his  fecretary 
H.  Toulmin,  faid  to  be  a  tranfatlantic  Socinian 
preacher,  but  a  man  of  talents.  Through  this  man,  re- 
port fays,  governor  Garrard  fell  into  the  Arian  or 
Socinian  icheme.  Through  the  governor,  many 
others  were  corrupted;  until  a  ferious  and  diftrefling 
fchifm  took  place.*  So  it  remains  at  this  time,  it 
is  due  to  governor  Garrard  to  fay,  that  his  condud: 
has  been  orderly,  and  indeed  gentlemanly ;  and  that 
he  has  honoured  every  other  charafter  which  he  has 
everaflumed,  except  the  one,  which  of  all  others,  he 
ought  to  have  valued. 

BROAD  RUN. 

The  origin  of  this  church  is  treated  of  in  our  gene- 
ral hiftory  of  the  Regular  Baptifts.     Since  that  tim.e 

'  *  Let  it  be  tried  a  thoufaiid  tiines,  and  in  nine  hundred  and 
ninety  nine  cafes  it  will  he  'ound,  tl-at  preachers  who  aim  at 
worldly  honours,  will  be  coinpletelv  ruined,  cr  greatly  deprecia- 
ted as  preachers. 


316  III3T0RY   OF   Tin: 

their  courfe  has  been  regular  and  fleady.  They  have 
not,  for  many  years,  had  any  refident  paflor  ;  yet 
they  were  attended  flattdly,  for  a  length  of  time,  by 
elder  William  Friftoe.  They  are  biefled  v/ith  a 
number  of  valuable  private  members,  wnofe  acftions 
lay,  that  their  right  hand  fhall  forget  her  cunmng 
before  they  forget  Jerufalem.  They  are  not  lo  nur 
inerous  as  m  the  days  days  of  their  youth. 

THUMB  RUN 

Was  planted  by  the  labours  of  Mr.  William  Frif- 
toe, who  continued  to  attend  them  monthly  for  a  long 
time,  although  he  lived  at  the  dilfance  of  forty  miles. 
I'ormany  years  the  church  dwindled,  until  they  were 
almofh  reduced  to  nothing :  but  being  revived  in  a 
fmall  degree,  about  1^02,  they  grew  to  about  fifty 
members.  A  few  years  paft  they  had  another  com- 
fortable revival ;  by  which  they  have  arifen  to  their 
prefent  flate.  It  does  not  appear,  that  they  have 
ever  bad  any  regular  paflor,  but  have  been  viiited  by 
the  preachers  of  the  adjacent  churches.  They  have 
Ibme  zealous  and  active  private  members.  The  la> 
hours  of  Mr.  Latham,  who  is  at  prefent  their  occa- 
fional  paflor,  have  been  blelled  among  them. 

BREIST  TOWN. 

This  church  was  flricken  oft  from  Chappav/am- 
fick,  under,  the  pafioral  care  of  the  indefatigable 
Daniel  Frifloe.  They  were  a  very  happy  and  united 
people  during  the  time  of  AJr.  Friftoe's  continuance 
among  them.  By  his  death,  they  fuflained  an  almofl 
irreparable  lofs.  They  have  fince  pafled  through 
many  perplexing  fcenes  at  different  times  ;  and  have 
alfo  enjoyed  lome  heavenly  feafons.  Their  flate  may 
be  faid  to  have  been,  rather  a  declining  one. 

UPPER  CARTER'S  RUN 

Was  once  a  tolerably  profperous  church  j  but  by 
the  removal  of  her  paflor,  with  fome  other  caufes. 


KETOCTOIS!   ASSOCIATION.  ol/ 

Hie  declined  ;  until  (lie  has  diiappearc-d  from  the  mi- 
nutes of  the  aiTociation.* 

LONG  BRANCM 

Was  formerly  under  the  care  of  elder  John  Miuv 
roe.  Their  courfe  has  not  been  marked  by  any  thing 
lingular.  Elder  William  Grinlbead  is  then-  pieient 
miniiler,  though  living  at  fome  diflance  from  chein. 

BACK  LICK 

Was  firfl  called  Accotink,  but  afTumed  her  prefent 
name  about  1792.  She  was  made  up  of  membt-rs 
taken  off  from  Popeshead  and  Difficult  churches. 
Her  firil  minifter  was  Henry  Hagan,  a  preacher  of 
fomediftin(5lion.  He  died  about  1793.  Mr.  Moore 
then  preached  for  them  for  fome  time.  Of  late,  they 
have  had  no  ftated  miniilry.  They  have  had,  at  dif- 
ferent times,  fome  pleafant  revivals,  and  may  be  faid 
to  be  a  church  of  very  refpedtable  Handing. 

HEDGEMAN's  RIVER. 

This  church  lies  upon  the  borders  of  F.mquier  and 
Culpepper.  The  members  of  which  flie  was  firfl 
compoied,  were  difmilfed  from  Hartwood,  for  that 
purpofe,  anno  1791.  They  had  Rev.  John  Hicker- 
fon  for  their  preacher,  from  the  time  of  their  confli- 
tution,  until  he  died.  Since  his  death,  they  have  had 
no  ftated  preacher.  They  have  been  a  flourifhing 
church. 

Elder  John  Hickerfon  was  born  in  Fauquier. 
Elis  father,  Nathaniel  Hickerfon,  is  flill  living. 
John  proielied  to  know  the  joyRil  found,  when  quite 
a  young  man.  i  he  following  is  a  ihort  representa- 
tion of  him  given  by  Rev.  Jeremiah  Moore  v/ho  v/as 
his  friend  and  intimate.  **  Brother  Hickerfon  was 
eminent  for  piety,  zeal,  and  laboriousnefs,  in  the  work 
of  the  mmillry.     He  never  lolt  light  of  tlie  preciou? 

'^'  See  note  under  the  tabic. 


i:lS  XlISTOllY    OF    Tiie 

dodrines  of  rich  ^nd  fovereign  grace.  Few,  very  few 
have  made  equal  progrefs  in  divine  knowledge,  who 
flood  on  the  fame  ground  with  him.  He  died  fud- 
denly  of  a  cramp  in  the  ftomach,  at  Leesburg  Virgi- 
nia, on  Saturday,  the  28th  of  January,  1809. 

His  remains  were  conveyed  to  his  mournful  family, 
and  interred,  on  Monday  following."  'J'he  following 
verfes  were  compofcd  by  Mr.  Moore,  in  honour  of 
his  memory. 

1  Hark,  Hark'  what  awful  tidings  roijrl 
'  What  ftrains  of  grief  we  hear  i 

'i'he  mighty  herald  is  no  more, 
And  Zion  drops  the  tear. 

2  In  mournful  accents  fhe  complains. 
Ah,  muft  the  mighty  fall! 

And  Death,  the  tyrant,  ever  reign. 
The  grave  confume  us  all  ? 

3  Muft  prophets  and  apoftles  die. 

And  iuints  for  ever  weep;  4 

Muft  ufeful  gifts  and  virtue  lis 
In  death's  eternal  fleep  ? 

4  No!  Faith  forbids  thefe  mournful  ftgiis, 
And  dries  the  flowing  tear; 

Sees  faints  from  fleeping  tombs  arife, 
And  the  great  Judge  appear. 

5  Then  fliall  the  herald  quit  the  tomb 
With  fhouts  to  fovereign  Grace. 

The  day  of  full  reward  is  come, 
And  faints  muft  take  their  place, 

6  At  Chrift's  right  hand,  his  bride  appears. 
From  fin  and  death  releafed ; 

Her  eyes  are  waflied  from  grief  i^nd  tearSj 
Her  foul  is  filled  with  peace, 

7  Eternally  his  faints  fhall  flng 
His  praife,  in  lofty  ftrains  ; 

And  heaven,  with  hallelujahs,  fing-, 
"  The  Lord,  the  Saviour  rti^nj." 

SOUTH  RIVER 

Has  always  been  a  fmall  church,  but  has  had  fome 
very  worthy  and  refpedtable  members. 


ICETOCTON  ASSOCIATIOK,  3l9 

William  Northern,  who  at  prefent  difcharges  tfie 
duties  of  paftor,  has  not  been^  many  years,  in  the  mi- 
niflry.     The  pious  own  him  as  amefTenger  of  peace. 

Water  lick 

Was,  in  a  confiderable  degree,  the  fruit  of  the  mi- 
niftry  of  Rev.  John  Price  ;  and  he  was  their  iirft  paf- 
tor.  After  Mr.  Price  moved  to  Kentucky,  they  had 
the  fervices  of  Rev.  James  Ireland,  until  his  death. 
Since  iMr.  Ireland's  death,  God  has  raifed  up  for  this 
and  fome  of  the  adjacent  churches,  the  adtive  and 
ufeful  Samuel  O'Hendren.  This  church  has  palled 
through  a  courfe,  hitherto,  not  very  profperous  nor 
very  adverfe. 

Rev.  John  Price,  their  firfl  paflor  is  a  man  of  con- 
fiderable gifts.  He  a.d:ed  for  many  years  as  clerk 
to  the  Keto(fton  Ailbciation ;  and  was,  while  in  Vir- 
ginia, conlidered  a  man  of  weight  in  religious  con- 
cerns. In  Kentucky  likewife,  he  has  been  diflin- 
guiihed  as  a  man  of  zeal  and  parts.  By  fome  of  his 
acquaintance,  however,  it  has  been  thought  that  his 
::eal  partook  too  much  of  the  nature  of  party  fpirit. 
In  the  difputes  about  hereditary  ilavery,  Mr.  Price 
•took  a  very  acfcive  part  in  favour  of  hereditary  ilave- 
ry. In  the  late  unhappy  divifioBs  in  that  country 
refpeding  the  affair  of  Jacob  Creath  and  others, 
Mr.  Price  is  on  the  fide  of  the  minority;  v/ho  feem 
difpofed  to  puih  things  to  extremes.  In  dif- 
putes, as  inveterate  as  this  has  been,  it  is  out  of  the 
queftion,  in  the  eftimation  of  men  influenced  by  pi- 
ous feelings,  whether,  in  the  merits  of  the  cafe,  this 
iide  or  that  is  right.  Men  prompted  by  difinterePced 
motives,  for  the  love  of  God,  will  fay  to  all  parties, 
'*  Are  ye  not  carnal  ?"  It  is  impoflible,  in  difputcj 
carried  on  as  that  has  been,  but  that  both  fide* 
mufii  be  wrong.  It  is  charitable  to  hope  that  Mr. 
Price,  and  thofe  refpecSlable  charadters  engaged  witli 
him,  will,  in  their  lafl:  days,  fee  better  times,  when- 
'•":•'■-■•-  'hall  rerram     ■  -^— ^-^^•-—    -"-.-■-' 


320  iliSTOllY   OP   THE 

ceafe  to  bite  and  devour  one  another.  Thomas  Buck, 
clerk  to  the  alTociatiohy/i^' a  member  of  this  church. 
He,  though  not  a  preacher  in  words,  is  a  prcacher  in 
works.      He  is  a  man  of  wealth. 

HAPPY  CREEK. 

This  church  was  iirfl  called  Lower  South  River; 
and  has  long  been  a  church  of  good  {landing.  Al- 
though never  numerous,  there  have  always  been 
members  in  her  communion,  who  were  an  honour  to 
the  caufe  which  they  profefied. 

Mr.  Ireland  was  their  iirll:  paftor.  He  refigned ; 
and  after  others  had  adled  and  moved  oft",  he  again 
became  their  preacher  until  his  death.  Mr.  Mar- 
iliall,  the  fecond  paflor,  was  among  the  firft  fruits  of 
the  miniftry  of  the  Separate  Baptift  preachers  in 
Fauquier,  about  Carter's  Run.  He  foon  became  a 
very  zealous  and  fuccefsful  preacher.  From  Carter's 
R  un  he  went  to  Battle  Run,  and  preached  to  much 
purpofe.  From  thence  he  travelled  over  the  Blue 
ridge,  and  preached  in  his  zealous  way  upon  South 
river,  where  was  a  confiderable  and  rather  fingular 
i\iv  ^  Mr.  Marlliall  being  a  man  of  more  warmth 
than  wifdom,  more  grace  than  gifts,  did  not  obtain 
the  paftoral  care  of  a  church  at  firft.  After  fome  dif- 
ficulties, he  was  at  lail  chofen  paftor  of  South  River 
now  called  Happy  Creek.  But  moving  to  Kentuc- 
ky about  1782,  he  was  fucceeded  in  the  care  of  the 
church,  by  John  Taylor,  one  of  her  own  fons.  Mr. 
Taylor  alfo,  about  1783,  moved  to  Kentucky  -,  and 
has  been  there,  as  he  was  in  Virginia,  a  preacher  of 
weight,  wifdom,  and  ufefulnefs. 

Benjamin  Dawfon,  their  prefent  pallor,  a  fewjTars 
paft  moved  into  the  upper  end  of  Fauquier  ;  and 
although  not  within  the  limits  of  Happy  Creek,  yet 
being  convenient,  he  was  called  as  their  preacher. 

*  It  Is  faid,  that  tbofe  rellgioufly  exercifed,  would  bark  as 
dog-s.  This  exercife  is  faid  not  to  have  been  uTicomir.on  when 
The  Jerks  prevailed,  in  Kentucky. 


KET^CTON    ASSOCIATION.  321 

He  appears  to  be  highly  eftimated  by  his  fellow  la- 
bourers ii^  the  afTociation,  and  by  his  acquaintance 
generally.  He  is  certainly  a  man  of  gifts,  and  of  very 
pleafant  manners. 

BETHEL 

Is  a  young  church,  taken  off,  as  to  the  lirfl:  mem* 
bers,  from  Buck  Marih;  but  has  fmcc  increafed  ra- 
pidly. 

Samuel  O'  Hendren,  their  paftor,  is  a  young  preach- 
er, in  high  eflimation  wherever  he  is  known.  As 
thriving  trees,  fhow  in  fpring,  by  their  bloflbms, 
that  ripe  fruit  in  plenty,  may  by  and  by  be  gathered ; 
fo  Mr.  Hendren's  prefent  exhibitions,  indicate  fome 
precious  and  plenteous  ingathering,  at  a  future  day. 
May  neither  frofts  nor  blafts  corrupt  or  dellroy  the 
ripening  fruit ! 

BUCK  MARSH 

Has  long  h^^cn  far  the  moil:  numerous  church  in 
the  Ketodlon  AfTociation.  This  church  was  planted 
by  the  labours  of  Daniel  and  William  Frifloe  and 
others.  After  their  conftitution,  they  were  joined 
by  a  confiderable  number  of  members  who  were  dif- 
miffed  from  Mill  Creek.  The  ciftance  at  wIiigIi 
the  two  Mr.  Friftoes  lived,  rendered  it  inconvenient 
for  therti  to  a<fl:  as  ftated  paflors ;  they  therefore, 
procured  the  attendance  of  Rev.  John  Garrard.  Af- 
ter Mr.  Garrard's  death,  xMr.  Ireland  became  their 
paftor:  which  took  place,  about  178s,  He  continue 
ed  their  faithful  and  fuccefsful  paftor,  until  his  death, 
in  1806.  Mr.  Collins,  the  pallor  of  Zoar,  a  neigli- 
bourfng  church,  then  became  their  flated  miniller. 
He  alfodied,  anno  1808.  Of  late,  Mr.  Friftoe  gives 
them,  fi:atediy,his  minifterial  labours,  in  muchweak^ 
nels,  and  in  much  wifdom,  viz.  bodily  wcaknels  and 
fpiritual  v/ifdom,  the  refalt  of  above  forty  years'  e.V^ 
periencc. 
V  O  <^ 


82;i  uibToiiY  vh  iHi; 

ZOAR. 

This  church  was  lirft  fo  called  by  her  paftor,  be* 
caufe  **  /he  «»tfs  a  lUtle  one"  Although  Ibmewhat 
grown,  theyftre  ll:ill,buta  I'mall  people. 

Mr.  Chriftopher  ColHns,  their  ftrlt  paftor,  was  a 
fi-ian  of  a  ftrong  mind  greatly  improved  by  ftudy  and 
literary  purfuits.  He  moved  from  Weilmoreland 
to  Jefferfon,  fome  years  after  he  v/as  baptized  ^  but 
before  he  began  to  preach.  i  he  great  dearth  of 
good  tilings  in  his  new  habitation,  ftirred  up  his  fpi- 
rit  to  appear  in  the  pulpit.  Being  advanced  in  life 
betore  lie  became  preacher,  his  talents  did  not  appear 
to  advantage.  As  a  preacher,  he  was  rather  dry  and 
tedious;  yet  what  he  faid  was  feniible,  and  his  la- 
bours were  owned  of  God  for  good.  He  kept  a 
kind  of  diary  of  his  religious  m-ovements  ;  by  refer- 
ing  to  which,  he  could  tell  every  text,  with  the  heads 
of  every  difcourfe,  he  ever  delivered  or  eve^  heard 
delivered.  In  his  condudt  he  was  very  remarkable 
for  a  lingular  corredlnefs.  He  died  regretted  by  all 
defcriptions  of  perfons. 

Mr.  Francis  Moore,  their  prefent  pallor,  has  been 
labouring  in  the  vineyard  but  a  fev/  years.  He  com- 
itienced  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Collins,  and  was  foon 
recognized  by  the  church,  as  their  pailcr.  He  is  the 
fon  of  Jeremiah  Moore,  mentioned  above,  and  is 
thought  to  have  drunk  from  the  fame  fountain.  His 
miniftry  is  thought  already  to  have  been  productive 
pf  good,  and  is  faid  to  promife  much  and  extenfive 
good. 

MILL  CPvIiEK. 

1  iiis  has  been  fliown  to  be  the  oldefl  church  in 
the  Ketodon  AfTociation.  f^See  General  Hiftory  of 
Regular  Baptifls.)  Mr.  Garrard  continued  to  be 
their  paflor  until  his  death.  After  fome  years,  viz. 
about  1788,  they  invited  and  obtained  the  fervices  of 
Rev,  David  Thomas.  The  church  had  become  much 


KETOCTON  ASS..OCIATIOI>\  .S23. 

fmalicr  before    Mr.   Thomas  became   their    paftor. 
For  a  feafon  they  rejoiced  in  his  miniftry ;  but  feme 
of  the  members  becoming  wife  in  their  own  conceit, 
took  it  into  their  fancy,  that  Mr.  Thomas  preached 
fcilfe  doctrine.     It  would  be  a  wafte  olvtlme  and  pa- 
per to  ftate  the  ground  of  difpute.     It  was  in  fad  a 
difpute,  almoil  about  nothing.     But,  behold,  how 
great  a  matter  a  little  fire   kindleth.     Out  of  this, 
they  made    out  to   flir  up  a  contention,   that  laft- 
ed   feveral    years,   caufed  a  fchifm  in   the  church, 
and  interrupted  the  harmony  of  the  aiTociation  for 
feyeral   feiiions.     The  party  who  objected  to   Mr. 
Thomas's  dodcrine,    and  who   were   excommunica- 
ted by  the  majority,  formed  fomething  like  an  in- 
dependent church,   offered  to  join  the    Philadelphia 
Affociation,  got  them  a  preacher,   baptized  feveral 
perfons,  and  really  cauled  no  little  difturbance.     In 
1 800,  however,  the  breach  was  healed  in  a  great  mea-- 
fur.e.     Mofl  if  not  all  that  had  been  excluded,  were 
reinftated,  and  thofe  that  had  been  baptized  by  unau- 
thorifed    perfonc,    v/ere   rebaptized.     In    the   mean 
time,  Mr.  Thomas,  difcouraged  by  thefe  inaufpicious 
circumftances,  added  to  fome  other  caufe,  moved  to 
Kentucky,    where  he  io  now  living,    but  is  almofl 
blind.     After  their  unhappy  difputes    v/ere  fettled, 
the  phurch  invited  Mr.  John  Hutchinfon,  their  pre- 
fent  paftor,  to  come  and  live  among  them,  and  take 
the  paftoral  care.     Since  Mr-  Hutchinfon  has  refided 
among  them  they  have  moved,  in  a  more  orderly  and 
peapeable  way. 

^     Mr.  Hutchinfon  is  refpedied  as  a  preach.er  of  gifts, 
found  in  the  faith  and  faccefsful  in  doing  good. 

TIMBER  RIDGE. 

This  is  quite  a  new  church  raifed  by  the  labours  of 
Mr.  Huchinfon. 


'32^i  OTSTORY    OF    TUB 

NORTH  RIVER,  CROOKED  RUN,  and 
PATTERSON'S  CREEK, 

Are  new  churches ;  concerning  v/'hich,  nothing^ 
intere fling  is  ^  known,  except  that  they  are  preachea 
to  by  elder  John  Munroe  a  pradlitioner  of  phyfic. 
The  two  laft  of  thefe  are  new  churches  raifed  up  un- 
^er  his  labours. 

Doctor  Munroe  has  long  been  engaged  in  the 
heavenly  employment  of  difpenfing  the  gofpel ;  and 
was,  when  a  refident  of  Fauquier,  as  well  as  fince 
his  removal  to  Hampfliire,  a  very  fuccefsful  preach- 
er of  the  gofpel.  In  the  pulpit,  he  is  a  man  of  fo- 
lemn  dignity,  warm  addrefs,and  fpeaks  as  one  having 
authority.  He  frequently  takes  up  contefl:ed  fub- 
jedls  3  and  his  opponents  fometimes  complain,  that 
at  fuch  feafons,  he  adminifters  very  ftrong  corro- 
sives. The  Dod:or,  however,  independent  of  this, 
preaches  the  gofpel  of  peace,  in  power  and  demon- 
ilration  of  the  Spirit.  He  is  now  getting  old,  and 
has  profeiled  divine  things  from  early  life,  yet  has 
maintained,  from  iirfl:  to  laftj  an  unblameable  conver- 
fation. 

A$  a  pliyfician,  he  has  been  in  extenfivc  pradtice, 
and  generally  viewed  as  a  man  of  skill. 

NANJEMOY. 

This  church  lies  in  the  ftate  of  Maryland ;  but  hav- 
ing been  raifed  by  the  labours  of  preachers  within 
the  Ketodlon  Aflbciation,  they  have  hitherto  conti- 
nued among  them.  ,,. 


i5p,EENBrvlER  ASSOCIATION. 
TABLE  OF  GREENBRIER  ASSOCIATION. 


32:^ 


1^ 

}fames  of 

S.«^ 

ga 

?^ 

By  ivhom 

Former 

Prefsnt 

Ccuuties, 

Churches. 

t's^ 

•■  > 

planud. 

Pajiors. 

^/ijlon. 

•  § 

r 

Grein- 

1 

' 

brler 

1781 

12 

J.  Aidirfon 

|.  Alderfon 

J .  Alderfon 

Green. 

biicr 

Big  Levels 

J796 

H 

58 

J.  Alderfon 
J.  Osburne 

J.  Osburne 

J.  Osburne 

do 

Taze's 

Vulley 

x3o; 

37 

+5 

J.  Alderfon 
J .  Lee 

J.  Lei 

J.  Lee 

Kenhaw„ 

Mud 

do 

River 

1807 

20 

20 

J.  Alderfon 
J.Lee 

J.  Lie 

J.  Lee 

Keiihawa 

1796 

12 

33 

J.  Alderfon 
J.  johnllon 

J.  Johnllon 

none 

du 

Cole 

River 

1807 

4-'^ 

35 

J,  Alderfon 
J.  Johnllon 

J .  John  (ton 

].-Lit 

1        do 

Petel's 

j 

i 

Creek 

1803 

32 

»5 

f.  Alderfon 
J.  Osburne 
E.  Hughes 

E.  Hughes 

E.  Hughes 

1  " 

Indian 

Creek 

I79i 

23 

61 

J.  Alderfon 

m.  Lacy       ' 
J.  Alderfon 

J,  Ellifcn 

IMcnroE 

Blue  Stone 

1804 

IZ 

J.  Alderfon 
—  Si:auiey 

-—  Stanley 

none 

Giles 

1 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 


History  of  Greeubvicr  Affociatioriy  including  the 
Skctchts  of  Churches, 

Beiides  the  churches  wefl  of  the  Alleghany  in 
Greenbrier  and  the^adj^icent  parts^  there  were  fome 
likewife,  formed  more  ibiithward,  on  New  river, 
to.  Thefe  lafl  affociated  with  the  Strawberry.  But 
being  very  inconvenient,  they  were  organized  in 
1793,  as  a  feparate  afTociation  under  'the  name  of 
New  River  Affociation.  The  churches  in  and  about 
Greenbrier,  affociated  with  the  Ketodon;  but  now, 
fi-^ding  it  more  convenient  to  unite  with  the  New 
lliver,  they  petitioned  the  Ketodci::,  and  obtained  a 


r>20  IIISTOKI     Ux      iilL 

difmimon  from  them.  And  in  1795,  became  mem- 
bers of  New  RivGr,  which  then  confided  of  ten 
churches.  The  New  River  Aiibciation  were  in  the 
habit  of  holdiiig,  what  they  called  conference  meet- 
ings, ill  which  feveral  churches  united  in  communi- 
on, 6cc.  The  •Greenbrier  churches  ^Iso  met  occa- 
iionally  in  what  they  termed  fociety  meetings;  in 
which,  they  proceeded  ahnon:  in  the  fame  manner  as 
an  alTociation.  They  received  letters  and  delegates, 
attended  to  the  requefts  of  churches,  gave  ^heir  ad- 
vice, and  fcnt  a  circular  letter  from  each  meeting, 
6c.  &c.  I'he  fociety  meeting?,  it  fcems  had  a  hap- 
py'tendency  towards  ripening  of  them  for  a  fcparate 
afibciation,  which  their  inconvenient  iituation,  as  it 
refpedied  the  other  part  of  the  New  River  diRrict, 
feemed  to  demand.  After  ailbciating  about  fix  years 
with  the  New  River  Aflbciation,  they  petitioned, 
and  obtained  leave  to  form  a  feparatc  conftitution. 
Mr.  Ofburne  mentions  this  fubjedl  in  the  foUov/ing 
words  :  "  'J'he  reafon  which  induced  us  to  become  an 
afibciation,  was  convenience.  'J  he  New  River  Dif- 
tri(!>  Aiibciation  beim;  at  fuch  a  diftancefrom  us,  made 
it  inconvenient  to  attend.  Brother  Alderfon,  John- 
lion,  and  myfelf  were  delegated  to  attend  the  aflbcia- 
tion ;  and  while  we  were  there,  a  motion  was  made 
by  fome  perfon,  that  wc  fliould  become  an  aflbciatc 
body  by  ourfelves.  The  next  year,  we  accordingly 
petitioned  to  that  effect,  and  had  our  petition  granted. 
This  meafurc  threw  my  mind  into  a  great  exercise 
in  refped:  to  fupporting  the  dignity  of  an  aflbciation  ; 
feeing,  at  that  tinie,  we  had  but  four  churches  au^ 
three  ordained  miniilcrs.  When  the  time  came  for 
our  fociety  meeting,  in  vv^liich  we  were  to  confult 
whether  we  were  to  become  an  aflbciation  or  not,  my 
mind  was  lb  overpowered  with  a  fcnfe  of  the  great- 
nefs  of  the  undertaking,  that  I  was  determined  to  op- 
pofe  its  conflitution  ;  but  brother  Alderfon  being  ap- 
pointed to  preach  the  introdudory  fermon,  accord- 
ingly preached.     In  his  fermon,  he  fliowed  that  Cod 


'  CliEE^'BRIEH.  ASSOCIATION.  3'Z7 

did  not  choofe  the  Jews  becaufc  they  were  numer- 
ous, but  becaufe  they  v/ere  few  in  number,  in  or- 
der to  iliow  his  power,  and  make  h  mi  felt*  a  glorious 
name.  Jliis  difcovery  had  its  proper  etled.  1  plain- 
ly fiw,  that  God  could,  of  a  handful  of , weak  and  de- 
fpifed  outcafls,  make  a  great  people.  Although  prefl- 
ed  Oii'^very  fide,  he  will  caufe  thctn  to  grow  and 
thrive.  Thus  while  we  were  but  a  weak  and  feeble 
band,  we  were  conflituted,  in  1807.  At  that  time 
we  were  but  four  churches,  now  we  are  nine  ;  v/hh. 
a  hope  that  we  fhall  ftill  continue  to  increafe." 

They  have  continued  to  meet  regularly,  fmce  their 
conflitution.  The  bufinefs  of  the  affociation  lias  been 
conduced  prudently;  and  at  them,  the  preaching  and* 
other  public  exercifes  have  been  often  very  powerful 
and  generally  happy.  Not  having  any  of  their  mi- 
nutes, details  of  the  proceedings  of  -the  allaciations 
cannot  be  given.  The  alTociation  annually  meet  the 
Friday  before  the  fecond  Sunday  in  Septeir^ber,  and 
continue  three  days  Mr.  John  Alderfon  has  gene- 
rally aded  as  moderator,  fometimes  Mr.  Jofrah  Of- 
burne  ;  and  Mr.  Crutchfield  of  late  years  as  clerk. 
Before  him  Mr.  Ofburne  was  clerk.  V/e  ihali, 
therefore,  proceed  to  the  sketches  cf  the  churches; 
.beginning  with 

GFCEENBRIER. 

By  giving  a  hiflorical  relation  of  this  church  in 
particular,  the  reader  will  be  informed  of  the  firft  rife 
of  the  Baptiils  in  thefe  parts,  feeing  this  is  the  olddl 
church  in  the  difl:ricl:,  and  is,  in  a  fenfe,  the  mother 
of  the  red.  They  have  been  from  firll  to  lafb,  a 
nrofperous  people;  3^et,  like  all  others,  have  had 
their  ebbs  and  floods.  By  attending  to  Mr.  Aider- 
fon's  memoir,  v/e  ihall  fee  her  rife  and  progrefs. 

Mr.  Alderfon  was  born  in  the  ftate  of  New  Jcrfey, 
and  was  the  fon  of  Rev.  John  Alderfon,  a  l^aptift 
aiiniller  of  con'liderablc  diiHndlion.  His  father  had 
?he n^ft'^rnl  cnr-'^of  I.^^nville's (.'reek  chuicb,  in  Kgck- 


328  HISTOK,Y    OF    THE 

ingham  county,  where  his  fon  fir/t  entered  upon  the 
niiniftry. 

Mr.  Alderfon,  in  his  communications  to  the  editor, 
gives  the  following  account  of  his  early  life  : 

"  My  father  being  much  from  home,    and  I  hein^ 
the  oldeft  fon,  much  dependance  was  placed  on  me, 
to  take  care  of  ftie  farm  :  fo  that  I  had  very  little  op- 
portunity to  learn.     The  chief  of  the  books  that  I 
read,  were  the  bible  and  the  Baptiftcatechifm;  which 
lait  I  got  by  heart ;  and  not  only  faid  it  over  at  fchool, 
biit  alfo  in   the  public  congregations,  on  Sundays, 
after  fermon.     By  thefe  means  I  was  kept  from  all 
grofs  immoralities.     By  an  exprefiion  dropt  from  my 
father,  after  I  had  recovered  from  a  very  fcvere  fpell 
of  licknefs,  my  mind  was  very  folemnly  imp^elled ; 
which  I  have  never  loft  to  this  day.     After  palling 
through  a  painful  and  tedious  law  work,^in  which, 
I  would  fet  refolutions,  and  then  break  them  ;  1  be- 
came at  laft,  deeply  concerned.     I  fought  the  Lord, 
with  my  whole  hearty  and  at  lafl,  obtained  comfort, 
great  comfort,  by  the  application  of  thefe  words  : 
**  You  are  built  upon  the  foundation  of  the  apoftlcs  and 
prophets,  Jefus  Chiifl  himfelf  being  the  chief  corner 
il:one."    After  many  trials  and  doubts  as  to  my  con- 
verlion,  I  began  at  laft  to  be  exercifed  about  preach- 
ing.   I,  atfirll,  thought  itimpoffible,  that  fo  weak  a 
creature  as  I,  could  be  called  to  preach  :  but  being 
perfuaded  .it  laft,  by  many  divine  tokens,  that  it  was 
the  will  of  God,  I  entered  upon  the  folemn  work.'.' 

Od:ober,  I775»  which  was  after  the  removal  of 
his  father,  he  was  inaugurated  as  paftor  of  f.ynville's 
Creek  church.  A  fhort  time  after  this,  lie  vilited 
Greenbrier,  and  iinding  a  wild,  uncultivated  place, 
M  which,  Chrift  and  his  crofs  was  feldom,  if  ever 
preached.  His  bowels  yearned  towards  the  people, 
lie  proclaimed  among  them  the  pure  gofpel.  It 
produced  fomc  gracious  confequences.  Sometime 
after  his  return  home,  he  v\^as  particularly  fent  for, 
:o  revifit  Greenbrier.     He  went;  and  found  one  per- 


*   Greenbrier  ASSOCIATION.  320 

fdrf,  af  leart;  ripe  for  baptifai»  whom  he  received 
(being  aided  (jy  two  of  his  members  who  had  remo- 
ved to  that  country)  and  baptized. 

At  anbthef  vifit,  fome  time  aftef,  he  baptized  t\Vo 
otiiers.  On  thi^  vifit,  he  began  to  meet  with  oppo- 
fitidn.  Some  of  the  people  held  the  Baptifts  in  very 
great  contenipt  He  continued  his  iriinii^rations  in 
Greenbrier,  and  continued  them  with  faccefs.  God 
was  with  him  and  profpered  him.  The  defert  has 
bloflbmed  as  a  rofe. 

Mr.  Alderfon  moved  to  Greenbrier  to  ii'^e,  in  the 
year  1777,  and  has  ever  fince  continued  among  them 
in  the  fame  place  where  he.  firft  fettled.  About  this 
time  the  Indian  war  broke  out  •  and  the  inhabitants 
of  Greenbrier,  &c.  were  obliged  to  fliut  themfelves 
up  in  forts.  This  continued  four  years,  and  was  a 
great  hindrance  to  the  progrefs  of  the  gofpel.  Mr. 
Alderfon,  notwithftanding,  continued  his  minifteriai 
labours.  After  having  preached  to  the  inhabitants 
of  one  fort,  protected  by  a  fmall  guard,  he  would 
travel  through  woods  and  wilds,  until  he  reached 
anothei.  In  fome  of  the  forts,  he  was  gladly  receiv- 
ed and  attentively  heard.  In  others,  he  was  fome- 
times  much  oppofed.  One  fort  propofed  to  (hut 
their  gates  againft  him;  but  he  finally  obtained  ad- 
mittance. At  fome  times  he  was  threatened  with 
very  rough  treatment ;  but  thefe  threats  were  never 
executed.  He  continued  his  labours  through  thefe 
various  difcouragements.  Neither  cold,  nor  heat, 
nor  ftorms  ;  nor  perils  from  favages;  nor  perils  from 
his  own  countrymen  ;  nor  perils  from  deftrudtive 
beafts  :  nor  inward  temptations,  nor  outward  afflic- 
tions, retarded  his  labours.  He  that  was  for  him, 
was  more  than  all  that  could  be  againft  him.  Seven 
long  years  did  Mr.  Alderfon  continue  his  work ; 
during  which,  he  never  heard  or  faw  a  Baptid 
preacher  except  himfelf.  As  many  as  two  or  three  li- 
cenfed  itinerant  Preibyterian  pre.vjhers  paffed  through 


SoO  IJI^TORJ.  01?    TIIE  4 

the  fettlenient,  in  that  time.  The/e  preached  the 
docftrine  of  free  grace,  and  were  acceptable  to  Mr. 
A.  and  liis  handful  of  members. 

Having  gathered  as  many  as  twelve  members,  all 
of  whom,  with  their  preacher,  confidered  themfelves 
an  arm  of  Lynville's  Creek  church  ;  they  petitioned 
the  Ketocfton  Ailbciation  for  helps,  that  they  might 
be  organized  as  a  church.  One  chief  view  which 
they  had,  in  applying  to  the  aflbciation,  was  upon 
a  hope,  that  fome  other  preachers  might  be  fent 
among  them.  For,  fome  of  the  oppofers  faid  that 
they  were  entirely  a  new  people  ;  and  that  there  were 
none  others  in  the  world.  In  tliefe  hopes  they  were 
difappointed.  The  ailbciation  replied,  that  if  they 
wiihed  to  be  conflituted,  they  had  the  power  in  their 
own  hands.  Accordingly,  on  the  24th  of  Novem- 
ber, '>y[Uy  they,  by  mutual  confent,  formed  them- 
felves into  a  gofpel  church  called  Greenbrier.  They 
had  a  written  church  covenant,  which  they  placed 
in  the  front  of  their  church  book.  Mr.  Alderfon  of 
courfe,  was  their  paflor. 

The  next  fpring  they  appointed  a  communion,  or 
in  other  words,  the  adminillration  of  the  Lord's 
fupper.  Numbers  came  forward  and  requefted  the 
privilege  of  communing  with  them  -,  to  whom  the 
church  replied,  as  might  be  expeQed,  that  none  were 
admitted  to  the  communion,  except  they  were  pre- 
vioufly  baptized,  upon  a  profeffion  of  vital  faith, 
and  had  yielded  themfelves  as  members  of  the  church. 
When  they  heafd  this,  many  of  them  changed  their 
tone  and  became  enemies. 

In  1786.  the  work  of  God  broke  out,  on  the  right 
hand  and  on  the  left,  through  different  parts  of  the 
country;  and  continued  until  1790.  in  defcribing 
this  revival,  our  informant,  the  Rev.  Jofiah  Ofburne, 
makes  ufe  of  the  following  language:  "  In  this  revi- 
val, a  number  of  members  were  added  ;  the  mouths  of 
gainfayers  were  flopped.  The  peoples'  mouths,  ears, 
hearts,  and  doors,  were  all  open  to  receive  the  word. 


GREENBRIER  ASSOCIATION'.  '      '331 

Now,  th^jtime  of  the  finglng  of  birds  was  come  ^  and 
the  voice'  of  the  turtle  was  heard  in  our  land. 
Which  cauled  the  heart  of  the  old  mourning  preach- 
er to  rejoice  in  his  God,  and  to  fay  with  the  prophet, 
Zion's  pords  are  lengthened,  and  her  flakes  are 
ftrengthened.  Thus,  where  ddrknefs  reigned,  and 
the  favage  yell  was  heard ;  the  unwilling  captive  led 
in  ciiains,  through  the  wilderncfs  to  a  land  of  for- 
row  and  worfe  than  Egyptian  darknefs,  to  linger  m 
forrow  and  pam  the  wretched  remains  of  life  ;  the 
Lord  opened  a  wide  and  effectual  door,  for  the  preach*- 
ing  of  Jefus,  by  which  numbers  felt  the  virtue  of  his 
blood,  and  were  brought  home  to  God."  In  the 
midrt:  of  thefe  goodly  times,  the  Methodifts  made 
their  appearance,  and  raifed  nofmall  oppolition  about 
dodrines.  "  They,"  fays  our  informant,  "  took  bro- 
ther Alderfon's  track ;  made  his  preaching  places 
theirs.  Numbers  under  convidlion  and  in  a  hopeful. 
way,  joined  them;  and  although  alarmed  by  the 
prea;ching  of  the  Haptifls,  turned  to  be  their  periecu- 
tors."  The  revival  being  over,  a  decleniion  enfued. 
The  love  of  many  waxed  cold,  and  feveral  were  ex- 
cluded. Mr.  A.  now  deplored  the  flate  of  Zion. 
But  God  heard  his  groans. 

Indian  Creek  church,  hitherto  an  arm  of  Green- 
brier, was  conftituted  in  the  year  1792,  under  the 
care  of  iMark  Richards,  a  preacher  who  had  been  raif- 
ed up  in  the  revival.  In  the  conftitution  ot  this 
church,  Mr.  Alderfon  obtained  the  aid  of  Mr.  John- 
fton,  who  was  the  firfl  i^aptift  preacher  that  ever  viiit- 
ed  thofe  parts,  after  Mr.  A.'s  removal  thither.  Mr, 
Johnfton  finally  became  a  reiident.  After  the  year 
1792,  times  became  better;  and  they  had  a  gradual 
revival.  In  1794,  elder  Joiiah  Oiburne  moved  trom 
Hardy  county,  and  fettled  in  Greenbrier.  He  was 
a  great  acc'eflion  to  Mr.  A.  who  thus  fpeaks  of  him  : 
*•'  Brother  Ofburne,  then  a  licenfed  preacher,  moved 
from  Lofl  river.  Hardy  county,  and  fettled  on  ^  the 
Big  levels  cf  Greenbrier,  where'  there  ivas  one  arm'  of 


;io^  IJISTORY    OF    THC 

our  church  :  thanks  to  the  Lord,  we  have  flood  toge-^ 
ther  ever  fince." 

Mr  /ilderfon  is  now  a  very  old  nvan,  yet  ftill  la- 
bours as  much  as  ever,  if  not  more.  He  has  given 
up  the  world,  as  to  its  cares  -,  and  is  only  waiting  for 
the  crown  of  life. 

BIG  LEVELS. 

This  church  was  raifed  under  the  miniftry  of  elder 
Joiiah  Ofburne ;  except  as  to  a  few  who  had  been 
baptized  by  elder  Alderfop,  previous  to  the  removal 
of  Mr.  Osburne  into  that  country.  It  has  always 
profpered  moderately,  and  has  enjoyed  harmony  and 
peace.  An  anecdote  is  told  bv  elder  Ofburne  refpedt- 
ing  this  church,  which  appears  worthy  of  notice.  A 
man  by  the  name  of  Newel  was  feverely  afflidted 
with  convulfion  fits.  He  had  ihem  fo  violently, 
that  his  life  was  defpaired  of.  He  became  a  chriflian, 
and  was  baptized.  Since  which,  he  has  never  had  a 
fit  within  the  knowledge  of  any  perfon.  How  is  this 
to  be  accounted  for  ?  The  unthinking  will  fay,  it  hap- 
pened fo.  The  philofophers,  without  faith,  will  fay, 
it  was  owed  to  fome  natural  caufe  ;  perhaps  the  bap- 
tizing effedled  the  cure ;  feeing  cold  baths  are  fome- 
times  beneficial  in  fuch  cafes.  But  a  fpiritual  believ- 
er, will  fee  in  it,  an  unfeen  hand,  capable  of  working 
with  or  without  natural  caufes. 

Elder  J qfiah  Ofburne,  paltor  of  the  above  church, 
was  born  March  5th,  1750,  and  raifed  a  Prefbyterian. 
J-lis  education  wa  almofl  nothings  being  fcarcely 
able  to  read  when  he  grew  up  to  manhood.  Having 
received  religious  inftrudion  from  his  parents,  he  had 
early  exercifes  about  religion;  but  altogether  in  a  legal 
way.  He  continued  his  outward  appearances,  until 
he  left  his  father's  houfe.  He  then  gave  up  all  pre- 
teniions  to  ferioufnefs  ;  and  became  openly  vicious, 
until  he  was  twenty  eight  years  of  age.  He  then 
heard  a  l^aptifl  minifler  preach.  The  word  came 
home  to  his  heart ;  and  he  felt  himfelf  under  the 


GREENBRIER  ASSOCIATION.  333 

curie  of  God's  jsroken  law.  His  convidlons  became 
Co  Arong,  that  he  .derpaired  of  mercy.  His  defpair, 
however,  was  not  of  long  continuance  :  in  due  feafon, 
God  revealed  his  arm,  and  (liowed  lum  that  he  could 
juftify  linners  without  the  deeds  pf  the  lav/.  He  re- 
joiced in  the  difcovery  with  unfpeakable  joy.  His  im- 
preffions  now  led  him  to  wifli  to  do  fomething  for  a  Re- 
deemer, who  had  done  fo  much  for  him.  J3ut  he  felt 
himfelf  incapable.  He  itrove  for  divine  inftru6lion  ^ 
and  God  applied  forcibly  to  hi.s  mind  this  text:  **  I 
have  chofen — the  things  that  are  not,  to  bring  to 
nought,  things  that  are."  He  then  yielded  ;  and  be- 
gan to  preach,  yet  under  very  great  embarraiiments. 
When  a  meeting  would  be  appointed  he  thought  that 
he  would  attend  that,  and  would  then  decline  for  the 
future.  Having  obtained  help,  he  has  continued  from 
that  day  to  this,  preaching  the  gofpel  of  the  kingdom. 
Mr.  Ofburne's  labours  in  the  miniftry  have  been  ex- 
ceedingly blefled  in  the  country  where  he  refides. 

As  a  preacher,  he  ftands  equal,  if  not  fuperior,  to 
any  in  that  country.  He  has  a  fingular  turn  for 
touching  the  feelings :  fo  that,  at  allbciations  and 
great  meetings,  it  is  generally  laid  upon  him,  to  clofe 
the  meetmg.  In  fuch  cafes,  God  has  often  owned 
his  exhortations,  &c.  to  valuable  purpofes. 

A  few  years  paft,  he  was  drawn  into  a  debate 
about  believers'  baptifm,  by  fome  of  the  Pedobap- 
tifts.  In  confequeuce  of  this,  his  mind  was  im- 
perceptibly led,  to  think  much  on  this  fubjedt ;  and 
finally,  to  commit  his  thougiits  to  writing.  This  he 
did,  in  fuch  an  able  manner,  that  his  friends  to  whom 
he  Ihowed  it,  infifted  on  printing  it.  He  confented; 
and  it  came  out,  under  the  title  of  David  and  Goli- 
ath. By  many,  this  Is  conlidered  one  of  the  befl 
treatifes  on  baptifm,  that  has  ever  been  publiHied. 

TAZE's  VALLEY  and  MUD  RIVER. 

Nothing  has  occurred  in  either  of  thefe  churches 


S34  HISTORY   OF   THE 

worth  noticing.     They  lie  in  the  lower  end  of  Ken- 
hawa  county,  contiguous  to  the  Kentucky  line. 

KENHAWA. 

This  church  flouriflied  greatly  while  it  was  under 
the  care  of  elder  Johnfton;  infomuch,  that  in  a  few 
years,  two  other  churches  were  conftituted  from  it. 
But  the  removal  of  their  minifter  who  went  to  Ken- 
tucky, proved  a  heavy  misfortune.  They  experien- 
ced great  declenfion,  and  have  ever  fmce  been  with- 
out a  paflor. 

COLE  RIVER 

Had,  at  the  time  of  her  conftitution,  a  confiderable 
revival  within  her  limits.  But  her  minifter,  elder 
Johnfton  removing  to  Kentucky  in  a  fliorttime,  they 
declined  in  fome  degree.  Elder  Lee  is  their  preacher 
at  prefent. 

PETER'S  CREEK, 

Was  in  a  revived  ftate,  when  conftituted,  but  now 
is  the  rcverfe.  It  was  literally,  when  conftituted,  a 
church  in  the  wildernefs. 

INDIAN  CREEK, 

AYas  taken  from  Greenbrier,  as  has  been  fhown. 
When  conftituted,  Mark  Lacy  was  paftor.  At  firft, 
for  a  fmall  fpace  of  time,  the  church  flouriftied.  But 
Lacy,  after  a  ftiort  period,  began  to  condud  himfelf 
unbecoming  his  ftation ;  which  finally  ended  in  his 
exclufion.  In  confequence  of  this,  the  church  droop- 
ed, and  were  on  the  point  of  diflblving  their  conftitu- 
tion, 'when  in  the  year  j  797,  Mr.  Alderfon  undertook, 
to  fupply  them.  Being  a  favourite  fon  of  heaven, 
through  his  labours  the  church  again  revived  ;  and 
God  raifed,  Within  her  borders,  what  may  be  termed, 
one  of  the  beft  gifts  that  a  church  can  recei\'c,  a  taith- 


GREENBRIER  ASSOCIATION.  SS5 

ful  minifter.     James  Ellifon  was  ordained  to  the 
palloral  care  of  this  church,  anno  ibo'S. 

BLUE  STONE. 

Ther,e  is  nothing  remarkable  refpecfling  this 
church.'  They  are  very  .deftitute  of  minifterial  fup- 
ply.    - 


330 


'  iiiiidiiY  OF  Tiifi 


TA^LE  OF  UiNION  ASSOCIATION. 


Names  of 
Churches 


n 


^  o 


o  O 


^ 

c-;? 


Ijy  whom 
planted. 


Former 

piiStors. 


Present 
pastors. 


Siinpion's 
Creek 

Buchan- 
an 

Good 

Hope 
Olive 

Branch 
Weft  Fork 
S-ilem 

Union 
VaJley 

Little 
,  Bethel 
Pritchei's 
.   Creek 
Pawpaw 
Sandy 

Creek 
^ethiema- 

ne 


J775 
1786 

1806 

1803 

1801 

'180a 
ii8o6 

•795 

1786 
1805 

1798 

1803 


5 

45 

5 

17 

12 

11 

9 

23 

9 

14 

5 

lO 

10 

22 

5 

27 

8 

28 

7 

14 

IS 

21 

10 

7 

J.  Sutton 
J.  W.  Love- 
berry. 


J.  Sutton 


Loveberry 
Cazod 


J.  Waldo 


Denham 

Morris 


J.  Denham 


J.  H.  Gofs 
J.  Carney 

J.  Waldo 

P.  Wells 
J.  Hickman 
J.  H.  Gois 

P.  Wells 
P.  Wells 
S.  Harrils 

P.  Wells 

J.  Hickman 
r.  Martin 

J.  Smith 

none 


Counties 


Harrifon 
do 


do 

do 
du 

do 

Randolph 

do 
Mononga- 

do 

do 

do 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

Hljlory  of  the  Union  AJJbciatiou,  including  the 
Sketches  of  Churches. 

The  churches  of  which  this  aflbciation  is  compo- 
fed,  were  in  connexion  with  the  Red  btone,  until 
1804.  :  when  they  were  difmifled  to  form  an  inde- 
pendent alTociation  ;  having  nine  churches.  They 
meet  once  a  year,  viz.  the  Friday  before  the  laft  Sun- 
day in  Augufl: ;  and  continue  three  days.  Of  their 
proceedings  in  the  affociation,  nothing  is  known. 
We  can  offer  a  few  remarks  refpeding  the  church- 
es, &c. 


UNION  ASSOCIATION*  SS7 

'^        SIMPSON'S  CREEK. 

At  the  time  that  this  church  was  conftituted,  the 
'country  where  the  members  refided^  was  but  newly- 
fettled.  They  pafTed  through  many  difficulties  at 
firft  i  but  finally,  rofe  above  them  all. 

Their  firft  paftor,  Mr.  Sutton,  was  confidered  a 
man  of  talents,  piety,  and  ufefulnefs.  hlder  Gofs, 
their  prefent  paflor,  moved,  a  few  years  paft,  from 
Albemarle ;  having,  previous  to  that,  travelled  and 
preached  very  confiderably.  It  is  prefumable,  he  is 
iequally  induftrious,  in  his  new  habitation ;  and  pro- 
bably more  fuccefsful. 

BUCHANAN'S. 

This  church,  at  fiirft  very  fmall,  was  revived  foon 
after  their  conflitution ;  and  became  large  and  ref- 
pedlable.  But  by  the  conflitution  of  other  church- 
es, they  are  now  reduced  to  feventeen. 

OLIVE  BRANCH 

Enjoyed  a  comfortable  revival,  foori  after  they 
were  conftituted.  But  churches,  like  individuals, 
when  they  think  they  ftand,  fhould  take  heed,  left 
they  fall.  There  has  been  a  great  declenhon  in  this 
church,  of  late. 

WEST  FORK, 

Under  the  labours  of  elder  Hickman,  has  rather 
flouriihed  than  other  wife. 

SALEM 

Has  rather  profpered.  From  1801  until  1805, 
elder  John  Denham  was  paftor  :  from  1 805  until 
1809,  Ifaac  Morrifs.  They  now  have  the  minilieri- 
al  fervices  of  Mr.  Gofs. 

S  3 


338  HISTORY   OV   THE 

VALLEY  '"^ 

Has  no  regular  paftor ;  but  is  ftatedlj  fupplled 
by  elder  Wells  and  Harrifs.  They  are  a  thriving 
people, 

LITTLE  BETHEL. 

This  church  is  alfo  fupplied  by  Mr.  Wells.  And 
although  in  the  midft  of  mountains,  and  a  wildernefs 
country,  they  enjoy  the  fweet  funfhine  of  divine 
jnercy. 

PRITCHEL's  CREEK. 

This  church,  though  fmall  at  firft,  increafed,  in 
1805,  to  fifty  members:  but  by  the  difmiffion  of 
members,  &c,  is  reduced  now^  to  tw^enty  eight. 

SANDY  CREEK. 

*'  This  church,"  fays  Mr.  Alderfon  (vv-ho  furnifhed 
all  our  accounts  refpcd:ing  this  aflbciation,)  **  has 
gone  through  various  fcenes,  as  to  revivals  and  de- 
clenfions,  as  moft  of  the  churches  on  the  weflern 
waters  have.  We  all  have  to  ftand  againfl  a  torrent 
of  oppofition,  from  different  quarters  3  efpecially  the 
Arminians," 

GETHSEMENE 

Is,  at  prefent,  rather  declining.  They  have  no 
fliated  miniflry ;  but  catch  the  gofpel  as  it  is  occa«* 
iionally  brought  by  travelling  preachers. 

GOOD  HOPE. 

UNION-. 
PAWPAW. 
Of  the  above  churchesj   coi  cerning  which,  no-- 


UNION  ASSOCIATION.  S39 

thing  IS  faid,  nothing  is   known  by  the  compiler  j 
except  the  articles  found  in  the  table. 

We  fliould  have  been  highly  gratified  to  fay  fome- 
thing  refpedling  the  minillers  of  the  gofpel,  in  this 
aflbciatipni  but,  for  the  want  of  acquaintance,  can- 
Hot. 


S40 


l^ISTORY  OF   THE 


TABLE  OF  RFD  STONE  ASSOCIATION. 


K! 

x-^^ 

t> 

§E 

^5 

Names  of 
Churches 

c 

tr    3 

*»    U)  : 

•    B      "y  whom 
T       planted. 

e 

Former 
pastors. 

Present 
pastors. 

Counties. 

(      ^ 

" 

5 

J^ltllc 

"^ 

1 

Bethel 

iSoi 

II 

50 

/.  Patterfon 

J.  Patterfon 

Monon- 
galia 

forks  of 

Cheat 

»795 

IZ 

4-7 

J.  Corbley 

none 

do 

Mc.-nr 

Tabor 

1788 

9 

47 

J.  W.  Pat- 

do 

Mtunt 

terfon 

Olivet 

i8gi 

to 

18 

none 

do 

Antioch 

t9o6 

9 

18 

J.  W.  Pat- 

do 

Short  ' 

terfon 

Creek 

l802 

IZ 

104 

E.  Martin 

E.  Martin 

Ohio 

Crofs ' 

Creek    nSoz 

'3 

60 

I,  Pritchard 

J.  Pritchard 

Brooke 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

Hiflori/  of  the  Red  Stone  AJJociation,  inchiding  the 
Sketches  of  Churches, 

Bed  Stone  AfTociation  was  organized,  Odobef, 
1776.  It  is  not  known  how  many  churches  were 
in  the  afTociation  at  the  time  of  the  conftitution  ;  as 
it  is  probable  there  were  fome  difmifled  from  differ- 
ent aflociations,  for  that  purpofe.  The  Keto<i;ton 
AfTociation,  in  her  feflion  for  17 '5,  difmilTed  the 
four  following,  viz.  Laurel  Hill,  Ifaac  Sutton,  paf- 
tor,  thirty  feven  members.  Ten  Mile  Creek,  James 
Sutton,  eighteen  members.  Patterfon's  Creek,  Jo- 
feph  Barnet,  paf^or,  fix  members.  Gofhen,  John 
Corbley,  paflor,  fixty  members.  Making,  in  all, 
one  hundred  and  tv/enty  one  members,  and  four 
preachers.  The  Red  Stone  diflricft  is  partly  in 
Pennfylvania,  and  partly  in  Virginia.*     The  num- 


*  It  is  alfo  faid,  there  are  fome  churches   in  the  Ohio  ftate, 
belonging  to  Red  Stone  AfTociation, 


BED  STOJSfE  ASSOCIAtlON,  341 

ter  of  churches  in  Pennfylvania  is  not  known.  The 
r)roceedings  of  the  afibciation  are  not  known  in  any 
degree.  The  ftate  of  the  churches,  beyond  what  is 
reprefented  by  the  table,  is  very  little  known.  Such 
as  is  known  fhall  be  here  given. 

LITTLE  BETHEL. 

Soon  after  their  conftitution,  this  church  had  a 
pleafant  revival ;  and  rofe  from  eleven  to  fifty.  They 
receive  and  feed  upon  the  bread  of  life,  dealt  out  to 
them  flatedly,  by  their  beloved  minifter,  John  Pat- 
terfon. 

FORKS  OF  CHEAT 

Was  firft  organized,  under  the  attention  of  Rev, 
John  Corbley.  'i'hey  have  been  rather  a  thriving 
people  ;  elpecially  during  the  time  of  Mr.  Corbiey, 

MOUNT  TABOR. 

They  had,  about  the  year  i  ^02,  a  precious  revival ; 
when  their  numbers  increafed  to  upwards  of  lixty* 
Since  that  pleafant  feafon,  they  have  rather  declined, 

SHORT  CREEK 

Began  with  the  fmall  number  of  tv/elve ;  and  have 
increafed,  through  the  riches  of  grace,  to  one  hun- 
dred and  four.  Elder  Enoch  Martin,  their  paftor,  at 
the  command  of  Chrift,  caft  the  net  on  the  right  fide ; 
and  gathered  it  full. 

CROSS  CREEK. 

Thisalfo  is  a  thriving  church.  Elder  John  Rich- 
ard, their  miniiler,  has  the  happlnefs,  moft  to  be  de- 
li red  by  a  faithful  preacher  of  the  gofpel,  viz.  the 
faccefs  of  his  labours. 

MOUNT  OLIVET. 
ANTIOCIL 


342  41IST0BY  OP   THE 

Nothijig  more  than  what  is  feen  in  the  table,  is 
laiown,  of  the  churches  poffed  over. 

The  term  Regular  Baptifts,  is  kept  up  in  Red 
Stone  Aflbciation,  in  contradiftin6tion  to  the  Seventh 
Day  Baptifts  -,  who  are  numerous  in  fome  parts  of 
the  diftricfl. 

There  are  alfo  fome  who  were  deluded  by  the 
impoftor,  Samuel  Counfil,  mentioned  jn  our  account 
of  the  Accomack  AfTociation. 

The  number  of  members,  in  all  the  Red  Stone  Af- 
fociation,  a  few  years  paft,  was  one  thoufand  thre^ 
hundred  and  thirty  five :  among  whom,  were  thir- 
teen or  fourteen  ordained  preachers ,  befides  licenfcd 
ones.  Some  of  the  preachers  in  the  Red  Stone  Af- 
fociation,  are  faid  to  be  men  of  great  abilities. 

For  a  hiflorical  account  of  J.  Cofbley,  fee  Biogra-* 
phy. 


Portsmouth  association, 
table  of  portsrviouth  association. 


34J 


0 

Names  of 

s   §,, 

>-  is 

By  ivhom 

Former 

Prefcnt 

CouniitS, 

Churebea . 

platited. 

PAjhrs. 

Pajhn. 

Pungo 

176a 

^ 

86 

J.  Gamcwtil 
G.  Piummer 

\.  Lawrcute 

t'nnccib 
Ann 

Black 

Water 

'784 

69 

G.  Plummer 
r.Anniftea^i 

W.  Sorey 

W.  Sorcy 

do 

London 

Bridge 

^78+1 

55 

193 

W.  Morris 

J.  Rittcr 

do 

Norfolk 

i8o/j.' 

21^0 

W.  Goodall 

lone 

Norfolk 

Ports- 

mouth 

1789 

68 

T.Arraiftead 
B.Baker 

r.Armiftead 
0.  Biggs 

none 

do 

Upper 

Bridge 

1782 

9 

56 

E,  Mintz 
r.  Etheredge 
;.  Grigg 

D.  Cr.% 

do 

Shoulder's 

Nanle- 

Hill 

1785 

ai7 

D.  Barrow 

E.  Mintz 

E.  Mintz 
J.  Rittcr 

T.  Bunting 

mond 

Weftcrn 

Branch 

1779 

8 

49 

E,  Mintz 

T.  Bunting 

do 

South 

Qii^y 

1785 

*4 

96 

D.  Barrow 

0.  Barrow 

J.  Bowers 

Southanp- 
ton 

Black 

Creek 

1786 

70 

103 

J.  Dupuy 
D.  Baxrow- 

D.  Barrow 

W.  Browne 

cl> 

Meherrin 

1788 

139 

J.  Meglamre 

W.  Browne 

do 

Tucker's 

Swamp 

1S07 

15 

16 

H.  Jones 

H.  Jones 

do 

Sea  Cock 

17JJ7 

iS 

55'E.  Bakcrr 

W.  Browne 

SuC.^.: 

Racoon 

Swamp 

1771 

87 

i-SS  J.  Meglamre 

1 

J.  Meghmrc 

W.  Brovvnc 

do 

High  Hills 

of 

Nottoway 

1787 

34 

W.  Browne 

V/.  Chsm. 
blef; 

dj 

Sappony 

1773 

6 

59 

J.  V/a!ksr 

J.  Bowers 
J.  Bcil^ 

nonj 

do 

i 

Mill 

t 

Swamp 

1774 

II 

100 

J.  M.rlr.mr; 

D.  BaiiO'.v 

\V.  Browne 

'file  0.? 

Wigh: 

Otter 

Dams 

1791 

Si 

n.  Boor;-,.; 

8.  Eoothe 

Surrey 

Rowanty 

'773 

2Z 

.f  .  Uc 

5"C'V 

DJavt  .dd:^ 

iViven- 

j'orts 

1 65 

J. :  - 

■^  Loc 

l'.''r;.'o 

S4i4i  lil^TOHY    OV    THE 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

History  of  the  Portsmouth  JJJociatio?!,  Jrofu  the  firji 
Settlement  of  Bapti/ts  mihin  her  limits,  until  the 
prefent  Day, 

It  has  already  been  fliown,  page  Ij  that  the  firil 
Baptifls  who  made  their  appearance  in  Virginia,  fet- 
tled in  the  fouth  eaft  parts  of  the  ftate.  Of  thefe,  it 
is  proper  now  to  treat. 

The  account  of  their  firfl:  origin  are  foinewhat  dif- 
ferent.    In  certain  memorandums,  furnifhed  by  Mr. 
Lelandj  it  is  ftated  "  that  the  firll  fociety  of  Baptifls 
that  was  ever  in  Virginia,  that  we  have  any  account 
of,  was  in  Ifle  of  Wight  at  a   place  called  Burley, 
about  1727.    This  fociety  was  compofed  of  emigrants 
from  England,  who  had  Rev.  Richard  Nordin  for 
their  minifter.     He  foon  returned  to  Englajid,  and 
v/as  fucceeded  by  MefTrs.  Cafper  Mintz,  and  Rich- 
ard Jones.     The  church  was  formed  upon  the  Armi- 
nianplan,  and  is  nowextindl."    Mr.  Leland's  manu*K 
fcript  was,  for  fome  time,  in  pofleflion  of  Mr.  Backus 
of  New  England,  who  inferted  the  following  note : 
**  A  letter  is  now  before  me,  written  from   Vir- 
ginia,   to  elder  Eyres  of  Newport,    January  28th, 
1742,  by  John   Hamerftley;  Where  it  appears,  that 
in    confequence    of  letters    from    Virginia,    Robert 
Nordin  and  Thomas  V/hite  were  ordained  in  Lon- 
don, in   May,    1714^  and  foon  failed  for  Virginia. 
But  White  died  by  the  way,  and  Nordin  arrived  in  Vir- 
ginia and  gathered  a  Baptill  church  in  Prince  George 
county  ;  and  held  meetings  there  and  in  other  places, 
until  he  died,    December  111:,    1 72 5,  in  a  good  old 
age.     And  on  April  30th,  1727,  the  church  ordain- 
ed   Richard  Jones  their  elder,   who  continued  to  be 
their  minifter  in   1742,  the  church  had  about  forty 
members." 

ISAAC  BACKUS. 
May  3iil:,  1803. 


PORTiilOUTif  ASSOCIATION.  34S 

Mr.  Backus  farther  notes,  '^  William  Sojourner 
v/ent  fi'om  that  church,  and  gathered  a  church  i\\ 
North  Carolina,  about  1740."  Mr.  Leland  obferv- 
ing  Mr.  Backus's  note,  fays  in  a  letter  to  the  editor, 
*'  you  will  fee  in  my  manufcript,  elder  Backus's  note. 
I  collected  my  account  from  Mr.  Morgan's  materi- 
als. Mr.  Hackusgot  his  information  from  an  old 
letter  fent  to  elder  F.yres.  If  there  was  a  Robert 
Nordin  in  Prince  George,  and  a  Richard  Nordin  in 
Ifle  of  Wight,  the  difficulty  ceafes.  But  if  there  was 
but  one  Nordin  who  emigrated  from  England  to 
America,  one  of  the  accounts  mull:  be  wrong.  Per- 
haps }>urkit's  hiftory  will  folve  the  doubt." 

Burkit  and  Read's  hiflory  fays  nothing  about  it. 
Nor  is  it  probable  there  can  be  any  farther  informa- 
tion obtained  at  this  day.  It  appears,  however,  to 
the  editor,  more  than  probable,  that  Mr.  Backus 
i^.  fubflantially  corre(^l,  for  the  following  reafons  : 
]^r>  B.  had  a  document  before  him,  written  as  early 
as  ij-^Zi  about  twenty  eight  years  fubfequent  to  the 
earliest  time  mentioned :  fo  that  without  fuppoling 
the  writer  to  be  more  than  forty  or  fifty  years  of  age, 
he  might  have  been  an  immediate  witnefs  of  the  fad:s 
related.  And  indeed  from  his  exadtnefs  as  to  dates, 
both  in  Lo#ffon  and  America,  it  is  quite  likely  that 
he  was  himfelf  one  of  the  firfl  emigrants  that  com- 
pofed  the  church.  At  any  rate,  he  writes  as  one  who 
poflefl'es  an  intimlte  acquaintance  with  the  fubjecfl, 
from  firft  to  laft.  The  difference  between  the  two 
ilatements  may  be  accounted  for,  by  coniidering, 
that  Mr.  Edw^ards  did  not  procure  his  information, 
until  about  forty  years  after  the  date  of  the  letter 
mentioned  above,  and  that  at  that  period  a  great  deal 
of  it  mull  have  been  traditional,  and  conlequently 
much  more  liable  to  be  incorrc'ft.  This  may  ex- 
plain the  diffei'eace  of  names  and  dates.  As  to  the 
difference  of  counties,  it  is  not  imDrobable,  thit  the  Ifle 

T2 


340  illJTOUV    uV     Lilt 

of  Wight  and  Prince  Gqorgc  might  luvc  bean  at  that 
time  all  one  county. 

From  thefe  coniidcrations,  ii  appear.,  tJiat  Mr.  B.'s 
note  mail  be  accurate  ;  and  that  Baptills  and  Baptift 
principles,  have  been  in  Virginia,  very  little  (if  art;.; ) 
Jels  than  one  hundred  years. 

Let  us  now  purfue  the  narrative,  as  we  have  it  laid 
down  in  Mr.  Leland's  memorandums,  and  in  the  h.  f«- 
toryof  the  Kehukee  AiTociation. 

We  find  this  church  in  the  year  1742,  tolerably 
profperous  tinder  the  care  of  Rev.  Richard  Jonei;-, 
Avho,  it  appears  from  both  llatements,  was  inflalled 
as  paftor,  in  J727.  How  long  iMr.  Jones  continued 
after  this  date,  is  "not  now  known.  'Jhe  church  itfelr" 
is  ROW  extind:.  The  laft  account  of  her  exiflence, 
was  in  December,  1756;  at  which  time,  there  waij 
a  divifion  among  them.  Some  died,  and  fome  mo- 
ved to  North  Carolina,  &c.-  {o  that  it  is  not  im.proba- 
ble  that  her  dilfolution  took  place,  not  long  after. 
Thofe  that  moved  to  North  Carolina  v/ere  much 
mdfe  fuccefsful.  In  the  courfe  of  ten  years,  after 
this,  they  were  increafed  to  fixteen  churches.  The 
Kehukee  hiftory  relates,  *'that  under  the  ministry  of 
MefTrs.  Paul  Palmer  and  Jofeph  Parker,  the  moA  of 
the  original  churches  wcx^e  planted.  It  is  not  faid 
whether  they  were  emigrants  from  England  or  na- 
tive Americans.  The  moft  probable  conje6lure  is^ 
tint  they  were  fomc  of  the  fir  11  fruits  of  the  labours 
of  Mr.  Sojourner,  mentioned  in  Air.  Backus's  note. 
And  indeed  there  can  be  but  little  doubt  but  that 
Mr.  Nordin  and  Mr.  Jone»,  (the  firfl:  of  whom  lived 
eleven  years,  and  the  fecond  at  lead  fifteen),  extend- 
ed their  mi nillry  farther  thin  the  immediate  church 
to  which  they  aded  as  pallor.  Palmer  and  Parker 
Were  both  Arminians ;  and  lb  were  the  churches  and 
preachers  raifed  under  their  miniftry.  From  which 
circumflance,  together  v/ith  'fome  original  papers 
iliU  v^'---"-^^  -^t  fc'jms  almod  certn'n,  th*it  the  firft 


'^OuTSIklOU'ril  4?£.0CIATI0N.  S4f7 

f^migrants  were  wiiat  in  England  are  called  General 
Haptifls. 

Their  manner  ofgatlicring  churches  was  very  loofe 
indeed:  Or.at  leait,  was  very  adverfe  to  the  method 
now  prevalent  among  the  Bap.tiftsin  Virginia.  They 
required  no  experience  of  grace  or  account  of  their 
converlion.  But  baptized  all  who  asked  it  and  pio- 
fefTed  to  believe  in  the  dod:rine  of  baptilin  by  im- 
ineriion.;^'  h  does  not  appear  that  they  ever  held 
affoclWK%i}9  rt!tg^!rrg,^7th'.»  iiJiftLy^iia^itiflead  of 
thefe  they  had  yearly  meetings  :  at  which-  they  tranf- 
adted  bulinefs  of  a  general  nature  ;  or  uich  as  reiped:- 
cdthe  welfare  of  ajl  their  churches 

Some  time  previous  to  th?  year  1765,!  Rev.  MeiTrs. 
Vanhorn  and  Miller,  relidents  of  New  Jerfcy,  were 
Ijbnt  from  the  Philadelphia  Aflbciation  to  vifit  the 
churches,  and  to  fet  things  in  order  among  them. 
By  fomc  they  were  viewed  with  jcaloufy  anddiftruil; 
being  llyled  Newlights.  But  by  moil  of  the  church- 
es they  were  cordially  received.  Their  labour  vv^a," 
not  in  vain.  They  effected  much,  very  much  indeed. 
By  their  preaching  and  converfation,  many  precious 
fouls  were  raifed  from  the  ficep  of  death.  The  fpi- 
rits  of  fuch  as  had  ever  tafled  that  the  Lord  was  gra- 
cious, were  much  refreshed,  'i'he  honour  of  religi- 
on, as  profefTed  by  the  BaptiRp,  was  exceedingly  en- 
larged. Their  fpeech  and  preaching  were  not  with 
enticing  words  of  man's  wifdom  ;  but  in  dcmonfbra- 
tion  of  the  Spirit  and  of  pov/er.  Many  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  churches  v/ere  convinced  of  the  incorrecTt- 
iiefs  of  the  Arminian  dodlrine,  and  relinquiiiied  It. 
And  where  thefe  v/ere  fufficiently  numerous,  and 
otherwife  qualified,  they  were  nevv'ly  organized  and 

*  It  is  probable  they  required  a  promife  on  the  part  cf  the 
candidate  to  reform  his  Jire,a-.'id  in  general  to  be  reltgicus  ;  which 
it  is  faid  is  all  that  is  required  by  many  of  the  miniftcrs  of  the 
General  Baptifts  in  England.  < 

t  The  editor  coidd  not  fin;l,  from  the  Kehuhcc  hiflory,  or  from 
any  documents  before  him,  the  precife  y-^r  in  which  they  canr^. 


348  .,  HISTORY   OF   THE 

formed  into  new  churches ;  according  to  the  plan  of 
the  Philadelphia  A/Tociation ;  or  rather  according  to 
the  Baptift  confeffion  of  faith  publidied  in  London 
in  1689;  according  to  which  it  feems  the  Philadel- 
phia and  Charleflon  Aflbciations  were  organized. 
What  thefe  reverend  fathers  left  unfinilhed,  was  af- 
terwards completed  by  their  fens  in  the  miniftry. 
The  Arminian  doctrine  and  difcipline  foon  difappear- 

ed  i  and  the  churcjics  all  ^^S#fi^\'^  i^^iitilnM^Vtoifl'^^^  ^^ 
is  not  intenOecT  to  oe'  unaerflood,"  tliat"this»revoratioBi 
met  with  no  oppoiition.  This  was  not  to  be  looked 
for.  Meffrs.  Parker  and  Palmer,  it  ha?  been  faid, 
were  the  fathers  of  thefe  churches.  Mr.  Palmer 
was  dead.       Mr,  Parker  was  living ;  and  with  two 

other  preachers,  viz.   William   Parker  and 

"VVinfield,  continued  flill  to  purfue  their  former  me- 
thod. But  being  delerted  by  fo  large  a  majority, 
their  party  finally  dwindled  to  nothing. 

Nothing  certainly  appears  by  which  it  can  be  af- 
certained  whether  they  correfponded  with  any  other 
Baptifts  in  America,  previous  to  the  above  reforma- 
tion. There  are  fome  circumftances,  however,  which 
make  it  probable  that  they  did.  1  ft.  The  letter  writ- 
ten by  Mr.  Mamerftley  to  Mr.  Eypes,  mentioned  in 
Mr.  Backus's  note  renders  it  probable  that  fome 
previous  intercourfe  had  fubfifted  between  the  Bap- 
tifts  in  Virginia  and  thofe  of  New  England. 

2dly,  It  would  appear  hardly  reafonable  that  the 
Philadelphia  Afibciation  would  fend  meflengers  to 
any  place  or  people  with  whom  they  had  no  corrcf- 
pondence.  Laftly,  It  is  prefumable,  from  the  cor- 
refpondence  with  the  Charlellon  Affociation,  which 
immediately  took  place  after  the  Kehukee  Aflbcia- 
tion  vyas  formed,  that  there  had  been  fome  former 
acquaintance. 

The  churches  thus  newly  organized,  formed  them- 
felves  into  an  affociation.  '1  heir  firll  feflion  was 
holdcnin  the  year  1765,  at  a  place  called  Kehukee  ; 
and  for  this  reafon,  their  afibciation  was  called  by 


!pORTS:\LOUTn  ASSOCIATIOK,  349 

that  name.  They  immediately  eftablirned  a^corref- 
pondence  with  the  Charlellon  Aiibciatioii.  The 
minifters  belonging  to  the  Kehukee  Afibciation  at 
iirft,  or,  however,  the  principal  ones,  were  Jonathan 
Thomas,  John  Thomas,  John  Moore,  John  Burgefs, 
William  Burges,  Charles  Daniel,  William  Walker^ 
John  IVl eglamre,  James  Abbington,  Thomas  Pope, 
and  Henry  Abbot.  Of  thefe,  only  two,  viz.  John 
Meglamre,  and  James  Abbington,  were  baptized, 
after  the  introduction  of  (alvinifiic  principles. 

About  the  time  of  the  conftitution  bf  Kehukee, 
the  Separate  Baptiffs  became  very  numerous  in  the 
upper  parts  of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia  ;  and  had 
formed  themfeives  into  an  aflbciation.  The  Kehu- 
kee Aifociation  being  delirous  to  form  a  more  dole 
connexion  with  people  whofe  zeal  and  piety  they  to 
much  revered,  about  the  year  1772,  fent  ciders  Me- 
glamre and  Thomas  as  deputies  to  the  Separate  Bap- 
tifl  Aflociation  ;  which- was  holdenat  Waller's  meet- 
ing houfe,  in  Spottfylvania  county.  The  deputies 
were  kindly  received  :  and  the  Separate  AfTociation 
alfo,  deputed  two  of  their  minifters,  viz.  E.Craig  and 
David  Thomfon,  tovifitthe  Kehukee  the  next  Au- 
guft,  at  their  afibciation  to  be  holden  at  the  Kehu- 
kee meeting  houfe,  Halifax  county.  North  Caroli- 
na. They  attended ;  the  fubje(^l:  was  taken  up ;  and 
the  Separates  ilated  the  following  objedions  to  <l 
communion  with  them  :  id,  that  they  were  not  fuf- 
ficiently  flrid:  in  receiving  church  members,  idly^. 
They  were,  as  they  ailedged,  too  fuperfluous  in  their 
dr€fs ;  contending,  that  exceffive  drefs  ought  to  be 
made  a  matter  of  church  difcipiine.  3dly,  that  tlieii 
principles  and  pradtices  were  at  variance ;  l.ecaufe^ 
although  they  believed  that  faith  in  Chriil  Jefus  wzv, 
eflentiai  to  baptifm,  yet  they  retained  many  mem- 
bers in  their  church,  v/ho  acknowledged  themfelve  : 
to  have  been  baptized  in  a  fliate  of  unbelief.  Thi^ 
kit,  was  declared  to  be  the  main  bar  to  a  complete 
union.     Their  objedion  upon  this  ground,  was  the 


..yj  I1I3TUUY    or    TiJ; 

more  efrcctuai,  becaule  it  liad  been  a  matter  of  con-* 
iiderabic  embarnirfment  to  a  great  number  of  the 
Kehukcc  minidcrs ;  who  had  many  thoughts  of  at- 
tempting a  rcforniation.  Tliio  occurrence  furniflie^ 
them  with  more  favourable  ground  to  make  a  begin- 
ning; which  was  accordingly  done,  in  the  year  1774. 
Mr.  Burkit's  church  firft  held  a  conference,  and  pub- 
licly proclaimed,  that  they  would  commune  witli 
none,  who  confelfed  they  were  baptised  before  con- 
vcifion.  Alledging,  that  adult  perfons  had  no  bet- 
ter claim  to  baptifm,  while  they  were  in  a  flate  of 
impenitence  and  unbch'ef,  than  infants  Jkad.  ]\Ir, 
Burkit's  ciiurch  was  followed  by  fevcral  others. 
Vmt  when  the  next  allbciation  met,  which  was  that, 
year,  viz.  1775,  holden  at  Moore's  meeting  licufc, 
on  the  following  Odober.  The  reformers  met  with 
fevere  oppofition.  The  corredlnefs  of  their  proceed- 
ings was  mucii  queftioned.  Much  diffenlion  arofe. 
One  party  blamed  the  other  for  doing  too  much  j  v/]io 
in  their  turn  were  equally  fevere  upon  their  oppo- 
nents, for  not  doing  enough.  Not  inclined  to  alfo- 
ciate  together,  both  parties  claimed  the  right  of  be- 
ing called  the  aliociation.  The  reformers,  becaufe 
what  they  had  done  was  ex:ad:ly  congenial  to  the  ori- 
ginal plan,  upon  which  the  aliociation  v/as  organized, 
The  other  party,  being  moll  numerous,  inlilted  that 
a  majority  ought  to  retain  the  power,  and,  confquent- 
}y,  the  name  of  the  allbciation.  They  moreover  ar- 
gued, that  whatever  mig/}t  be  thpir  principles,  it  wa? 
well  known  at  the  time  of  the  conftitution  of  the  af- 
fociation,  tlutthis  evil  cxiflcdin  greater  force  than  it 
did  at  that  time  ;  feeing  none  had  been  baptized  in 
known  unbelief,  lince  the  conftitution  :  That  there- 
fore, it  was  virtually  if  not  pointedly  agreed,  that 
fuch  as  were  then  in  oiderly  llanding,  might  retain 
^  their  memberiliip  ;  left  more  miCchief  might  enfue, 
by  being  too  rigorous,  than  by  fubmitting  to  fmall 
inconveniences  for  the  fake  of  peace  :  That  the  ailb- 
ciation  having  been  in  exiftence  for  eight  or  nine 


rORTSTMOUTn  ASSOCIATION.  351 

years  ;  ail  of  which  time  they  had  fuftcred  the  incon- 
venience, it  was  now  rather  ftrange,that  they,  at  this 
late  period,  fhould  attempt  a  revolution  ib  likely  to  dif- 
tLirb  the  peace  and  harmony  of  the  churches.'  To  all 
thefe  arguments,  it  was  aiiiwered:  that  to  them  it  was  a 
matter  of  confcience ;  which  they  could  not  relin- 
quifh  without  wounding  their  own  fouls.  As  neither 
fide  would  give  way,  things  came  to  extremities. 
Each  party  organized  a  diftinfl  affembly  or  allocia- 
tion.  'i'he  reformers  kept  poiieflion  of  the  meeting 
houfe;  whilft  the  oppoiite  party  retired**,  lirft  to  the 
woods,  and,  on  the  2d  day,  procured  a  private  houfe 
in  the  neii^hbourhood.  Ail  attempts  at  rcconciiia- 
tion,  proved  ineftecftual  during  this  feffion:  Each 
party  tranlacled  their  ov/n  bulinefs  ;  of  which  how- 
ever very  little  v/as  done.  Thefe  party  broils  v/ere 
exceedingly  afflicting  to  the  pious  on  both  lides.  It 
would  appear  from  the  arguments  on  the  old  fide, 
that  many  of  them  did  not  deny  the  principles  of  this 
reformation,  fo  much  as  the  neceffity ;  feeing  i': 
would  unavoidably  produce  much  confulicii  ;  and  if 
let  alone  the  evil  would  of  courfe,  in  time,  vanifh. 
Thofc  who  had  undertaken  to  efteO:  the  reformation, 
j)erfevered  ;  and  finally  accomplidied  their  wiflieSv* 
In  xAuguft,  1777,  they  held  their  firfc  undii|3uted 
afTociation,  at  elder  lieii's  meeting  houfe,  in  Suffex 
county,  Virginia.  They  found  on  affembling,  thit 
liheir  llrength  had  very  much  increafed.  Ten 
churches  had  fent  letters  and  delegates  ;  of  which 
it  appeared  that  fix  were  Regulars,  or  the  eld 
nde,  and  four  v/ere  Separates  :  who  finding  their 
former  obflacles  removing,  and  being  convenient; 
were  incorporated  v^ith  this  afibciation.  Or  thefe 
ten  churches,  four  were  in^-  Virginia,  and  fix  in 
North  Carolina,     Their  whole  number  of  members 

*  The  Regular  Aflbciat'ion  dwindled;  and  Hniily  came  to  no- 
thifiti;:  pardy  by  falling  in.  v/ith  ths  liepara'.e?;  ani.  par:lyj,ilay 
other  CAUSES'. 


352  myroEY  of  thu 

Gonlifled  of  one  thoufand  five  hundred  and  ninety  : 
which  was  indeed  very  confiderable  for  that  early  pe- 
riod.  They  agreed  now,  upon  an  abftrad;  of  prin-* 
€iples;  which  was  afterwards  printed  and  publiihed. 
In  dodirines  nor  dilcipline  it  did  not  fubflantially 
differ  from  the  confefTion  of  faith  generally  received 
among  the  Baptifts.  They  agreed  to  hold  two  alio- 
ciations  annually.  And  appointed  the  next  at  Bur- 
kit's  meeting  houfe,  the  next  May.  The  Kehukee 
Alfociation  continued  to  meet  regularly,  and  to  in- 
creafe  rapidly,  until  the  year  1790.  At  their  October 
feflion  for  that  year,  it  was  found  that  there  were  no 
lefs  than  fixty  one  churches;  having  more  than  five 
thoufand  members.  Several  ineffectual  attempts, 
previous  to  this,  had  been  made  to  divide  the  dif- 
trid.  The  number  of  churches  was  now  fo  large 
that  a  divilion  was  almoft  indifpenfible.  They  ac- 
cordingly agreed  to  divide  by  the  fiiate  line,  leaving 
forty  two  churches  in  North  Carolina  and  nineteen 
in  Virginia.  The  Virginia  churches  met  by  their 
delegates,  for  the  firft  time,  May  1791,  at  Portf- 
mouih  ;  and  on  that  account  named  their  affociation 
the  Virginia  Portfmouth  Affociation.  Their  time  of 
meeting  has  been,  from  the  iirft,  on  the  fourth  Sa- 
turday in  May,  annually.  Their  bufinefs  has  beeh 
tranfacted  in  peace  and  prudence.  The  number  of 
churches  have  increafed ;  but  not  fo  rapidly  as  in 
feme  other  ailbciations.  While  elder  Meglamre 
lived  and  attended  the  affociations,  he  generally  adl- 
ed  as  moderator.  After  his  death,  or  w^hen  he  was 
abfent,  the  duties  of  moderator  mofl  commonly  de- 
volved upon  Rev.  David  BarroXv,  until  his  removal 
to  Kentucky.  Since  his  removal,  elders  i3rowne. 
Bowers,  Muri-ell,  &c.  have  occafionally  atfted.  Until 
the  divifion  of  the  Kehukee  diilrict,  Mr.  Burkit,  (joint 
author  of  the  Kehukee  hiftory,)  was  the  ftanding 
clerk.  Since  the  divilion,  that  office  has  fallen  into 
the  hands  of  different  perfons  at  different  times. 
Eiders  William  Browne,  James  Wright,  &c.  were  in 


H311TSMOUTII  ASSOCIATION.  353 

their  turns  placed  in  that  office.  Not  having  a  re- 
o-iilar  file'  of  the  minutes  of  the  afTociation,  a  detail  of 
ihdr  pfoceediftgs  cannot  be  exhibited.  This,  how- 
ever, is  the  lefs  neceflciry  at  this  ftage  ofoUr  work,  in- 
afmuch  as  the  bufmefs  of  fo  inany  thers  is  already 
detailed^  that  it  is  not  piefumable  that  there  would 
be  any  thihgnew  or  fingular. 

There  are  fome  verv  valuable  and  able  preachers 
within  the  Portfmouth  AfTociation  -,  but  it  is  the  opini- 
on of  foine  who  are  intimately  acquainted,  that  in  point 
6f  minifteriai  talents,  they  Have  rather  depreciated. 
A  fanguine  believer  can,  neverthelefs,  anticipate  a 
day,  when  God  /liall  fend  them  judges  as  at  the  fir  ft, 
hid  connfellors  as  at  the  beginnhig.  When  the  watch- 
fnen  now  lipbn  the  walls,  aided  by  a  new  band,  flial! 
proclaim  to  Zion,  "  Thj/  God  ixigneth." 

PUN  GO 

Church,  is  among  the  olded  churches  in  Virginia. 
Whilfl  they  have  had  their  days  of  adverlity,  as  well 
as  their  days  of  profperity,  God  has  ftill  preferved 
them  a  name  amohg  the  families  of  IfraeL  Preach- 
ers, like  ferVants,  can  give  us  much  eafe  :  thery  can 
alfo  ilir  up  much  confufion.  In  1766,  their  firit 
paftor,  George  Plummer,  was  inaugurated.  He,  for- 
footh,  miift  marry  his  wife's  fifter ;  and  was  of  courfe 
fufpended.  In  January,  1774,  they  made  choice  of 
Jofhua  Lawrence.  For  fome  years,  he  ftood  in  high 
eflimation  :  but  fome  charges  being  exhibited  againfl 
him,  though  not  fatisfad:orily  proven,  the  church, 
with  the  afTiftance  of  helps,  offered  an  appeal  to  his 
own  confcience  -,  proposing  that  he  fhould  acknowr- 
ledge,  or  deny  the  charges  exhibited-  againft  him. 
This  he  refufed  ;  and  was  excluded.  He  then  com- 
menced preaching  upon  his  own  indcpen.d.ence. 
And  publicly  and  folemnly  denied  the  charges^:  here- 
by, fliev/ing  more  refped:  to  the  world  than  the 
church.     He  formed  a  party,  v, ho  built  him  a  meet' 

^  U  2 


•^•>i'  IIISTOUY    Ol'-    Tilt 

mg  houff.     After  fome  years,  however,  he  was  re- 
inftatcd.     Well  might  Paul  fay  of  minifters,  "  not 


^i^»^    V    iiiw^j. 


BLACK  WATER 

Is  a  daughter  of  Pungo.     Nothing  very  remark- 
able has  occurred  here. 

LONDON  BRIDGE 

Has  generally  been  a  profperous  church.  Their 
iirll:  paflor  was  William  Morris ;  who,  after  fervmg 
them  faithfully  about  feventeen  or  eighteen  years, 
in  1802,  took  a  difmifiion  to  Kentucky,  the  cemete- 
ry of  Virginia  Baptift  preachers.  This  v/as  matter 
of  great  grief  to  his  affed:ionate  people. 

They  next  obtained  the  fervices  of  Jeremiah  Rit- 
ter  ;  who  has  adminiHered  to  them  with  confiderable 
fuccefs.  Of  late  years,  God  has  raifed  among  them, 
William  P.  Biddle,  a  young  preacher  of  promifing 
talents,  and  very  amiable  deportment.  How  re- 
freiliing  are  thefe  young  and  faithful  ambaffadors. 

NORFOLK 

Church,  was  taken  off  from  Portfmouth.  They 
have  had  their  full  fhare^f  calamities  :  calamities  fe- 
vere,  and  forrowful  indeed  and  in  truth.  Before  their 
conftitution,  they  were  curfed  with  an  arrant  impof- 
tor,  by  the  name  of  Froft.  He  came  from  Europe, 
and  pretended  to  be  a  preacher.  He  made  much 
confufion  ;  to  fettle  which,  the  church  appointed  cer- 
tain perfons  to  take  him  under  dealings.  Froft  re- 
fufed  to  hear  them,  and  attended  an  appointment  of 
Jiis,  to  preach,  that  Qvemngt  Juft  as  he  commenced 
preaching,  he  dropt  down  in  the  pulpit,  and  expired 
in  about  three  hours.  In  1802,  one  Mather,  an- 
other European  vagabond  preacher  came  to  Norfolk, 
and  made  no  little  confufion.  He  alfo  foon  died. 
In  1803,  Benjamin  Alliley,  Peter  Lugg,  Henry 
Keeling,  and  James  Mitchell  were  ordained  to  th^ 


PORTSMOUTH  ASSOCIATION.  355 

miniflry.  When  the  church  was  conftituted,  they 
had  feveral  preachers  in  their  limits  :  none  of  whom 
however,  were  called  upon  hy  the  church  to  take  the 
paftoral  care.  They  inconliderately  invited  a  certain 
William  Goodall  to  become  their  paftor.  He  was 
then  a  reiident  of  Hampton.  He  proved  the  great- 
eft  ftumbling  block  of  all.  Goodall  was  a  man  of 
fome  talents  as  a  preacher ;  But  devoid  of  fomethinp- 
more  valuable  than  talents,  he  blackened  the  Vap^ 
tifts  in  Norfolk,  more  than  all  his  preaching  could 
wipe  off,  if  he  were  to  live  an  hundred  years.  He 
fell  into  the  fin  of  polygamy,  and  was  put  out  from 
among  them.  Goodali's  apoftacy,  with  fome  other 
fevere  calamities  that  have  fmce  befallen  them,  has 
apparently  ahiioft  ruined  the  Baptift-causc  in  Nor- 
folk :  but  if  it  be  the  caufc  of  l  hrift,  it  muft  riic 
again.  The  gates  of  hell  may  annoy;  but  cannot 
prevail  againil  the  true  church.  They  have  ftiil  fe- 
veral ordained  preachers  among  them,  but  no  paftor. 
Elder  lirowne  has  of  late  undertaken  to  attend 
ihem  once  a  month. 

PORTSMOUTH 

Was  conftituted  under  the  paftoral  care  of  elder 
Thomas  Armifte'dd.  His  labours  were  much  bleft'- 
ed;  and  the  church  grew  and  multiplied.  About 
1792,  partly  from  bad  health,  and  partly  from  other 
caufes,  Mr.  Armiftead  refigned  his  charge.  After 
his  refignation,  the  church  declined  greatly.  They 
employed  Jacob  Bifhop,  a  black  man  of  confiderable 
talents,  to  preach  for  them.  This,  as  might  have 
been  expeded,  could  not  anfwer  in  v'irginia  Elder 
Thomas  Etheredge,  and  Jacob  Grigg,  in  their  turn, 
ferved  them  a  fmall  fpace  of  time.  In  i8o?,  elder 
Davis  Biggs  moved  into  the  vicinity  of  Portfmouth, 
and  became  their  paftor.  Under  his  watchful  care, 
the  church  has  moved  on  in  a  much  more  tranquil 
manner. 

Eider  Armiftead,  the  firft  paftor  cf  this  church. 


^50  HISTORY   OF   Tllfl 

4vas  a  man  of  high  family,  and  rich  connexions.  He 
ferved  as  an  officer  in  the  American  army,  during 
the  revolutionary  war.  He  was  univerfally  efteem- 
ed  as  an  officer  of  the  moll  unwavering  courage. 
He  was  alfo  a  man  of  flrong  mind;  and  in  all  likeli- 
hood, would  have  made  a  figure  in  the  military  line, 
ifhehadnot  become  a  Baptift.  This,  by  lefTening 
his  military  ardour,  as  well  as  rendering  him  fome- 
what  unpopular  in  the  army,  probably  prevented 
th^t  diilincftion  to  which  he  might  have  been  other- 
wife  raifed.  Few  men  talked  with  more  pleafurq 
about  military  movements,   than  major  Armiftead. 

After  his  relignation,  as  above,  he  v/as  never  again 
as  ufeful.  He  became  a  merchant,  moved  from 
plac6  to  place,  and  preached  whenever  he  found  an 
opportunity.  The  Major  never  could  completely 
fhake  off  his  high  notions  of  honour  and  refentment, 
imbibed  in  the  army.  He  was  not  unfrequently  en- 
ga'ged  in  making  arrangements  to  fettle  affairs  of  ho- 
nour, invitations  from  others  he  would  not  refuse  : 
he  would  fometimes  offer  them  on  his  part.  This, 
with  feme  other  matters  of  diforder,  expelled  the  ma- 
jor, anno  1803,  from  the  Baptift  community.  He 
iliil  occafionally  preached;  but  not  with  much,  if  any 
succefs.  In  1809,  he  was  again  reftored  to  his 
membcrfhip  ;  and  died  fliortly  after.  The  major  was 
thought  by  many,  in  his  beff  days  to  injure  his  ufe- 
fulnefs,  by  not  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth. 
He  dwelt  too  much  upon  the  deep  and  myfterious 
doctrines  of  Calvinifm.  Do6irines  hard  to  be  under- 
fcood  ;  and  therefore  ought  to'  be  cautioufly  m.anaged. 

Eider  Biggs,  their  late  paftor,  is  a  found  and  in- 
genious preacher ;  and  efteemed,  by  his  acquaintan- 
ces, as  an  exemplary  man.  He  alfo,  has  lately  mo- 
ved to  the  weilern  country. 

UPPER  BRIDGE. 

Nothing  fingular  has  occured  in  tliis  church. 
Elder  Jacob tirJgg,  former  paftor  of  Upper  Bridge, 


pORTSivrouTii  ASSocI.^IO^r.  3.57 

U  an  Englifhman ;  who  received  an  education  at  tlic 
Briftol  Baptift  academy,  after  he  began  to  preach. 
When  he  finiflied  his  education,  he  was  fent  by  the 
miliionary  society  into  Africa.  Having  some  dif- 
tnrbance  there,  with  the  governor  of  the  colony, 
he  came  to  Norfolk  in  Virginia.  After  preaching  for 
thechurch  there,  awhile,  became  to  Upper  Bridge  • 
and  was  there  very  ufeful.  At  length  he  moved  to 
Kentucky  ;  and  was  pafbcr  to  one  of  the  moft  prof- 
pcrous  churches  tliere.  But  in  confequence  of  the 
diflurbances  about  hereditary  ilavery,  he  again  moved 
to  Ohio  ;  and  finally,  to  Richmond,  Virginia  j  where 
he  now  refides.  His  high,  and  perhaps  in  fome  re- 
fped:s  untenable  opinions  of  civil  liberty,  involved 
him  in  embarraliments  both  in  Africa  and  Kentuc- 
ky. Some  of  iiis  friends  are  of  opinion,  that  age  and 
experience  have  corredled  thefe  protuberances  His 
moral  charadler  has  never  been  aifailed.  By  all  who 
know  him  he  is  efteemed  pious  and  zealous.  As  a 
preacher,  for  deep  inveftigation,  for  clear  and  lucid 
exhibition  of  divine  truth,  he  is  unfurpaffed  by  any 
preacher  in  Virginia. 

SHOULDER'S  HILL. 

On  the  firfl:  preaching  of  the  Baptifts  in  theft- 
parts,  they  met  with  violent  oppofition.  A  mob  col- 
lected at  one  of  their  meetings,  and  feized  the  preach^, 
ers  Barrow  and  Mintz,  and  carried  them  to  a  water 
not  far  diifant.  There  they  dipped  them  feveral 
times,  holding  them  under  water  until  they  were 
nearly  drowned ;  alking  them  if  they  believed.  At 
length,  Mr.  Barrow  replied,  I  believe  you  mean  to 
drown  me.  After  fporting  with  them  ti)us,  hey  :et 
them  go.  Notwithllanding  this  oppolition,  the  pol- 
pel  progrefTed.  Thechurch,  with  lome  interruptivns, 
has  enjoyed  |.;eace  Anu  profpenty. 


*^5S  HISTORY    OF   THE 

WESTERN  BRANCH. 

This  is  afuiall  but  increaling  church.  Mr.  Bunting, 
their  prelent  pailor,  is  a  native  of  the  Eaftern  Sh  ;e; 
and  is  efteemed,  both  in  his  new  and  old  habitatiJUj 
a  good  man,  and  a  found  preacher. 

SOUTH  QUAY. 

Nothing  of  note  has  come  to  our  knowledge  as  to 
this  church. 

BLACK  CREEK 

Has  generally  been  a  Jiappy  and  peaceful  church. 
They  fuilained  a  great  lofs  in  the  removal  of  eld  ?r 
David  iiarrow,  in  1797.  Since  which  time,  hew- 
ever,  they  have  had  the  occafional  miniilrations  of 
others  ;  whose  labours  have  been  blefled. 

MEHERRIN 

Is  a  daughter  of  Racoon  Swamp,  now  under  the 
care  of  Robert  Murrell,  a  pious  and  exemplary  mi- 
nifter  of  the  new  teftament  and  a  leading  man  in  the 
AlTociation. 

TUCKER'S  SWAMP 

Is  a  fmall  new  church,  under  the  care  of  Hcnrv 
Jones  y  a  preacher  of  plain,  but  ufeful  gifts. 

SEA  COCK. 

Nothing  remarkable  has  taken  pJace  here, 

RACOON  SWAMP 

Has  been  a  large  and  flourifhing  church.  She  has 
been  the  mother  of  many  miniflerial  fons.  James 
Bell,  Zadoc  Bell,  Balaam  Izzel,  John  Wall,  Ran- 
dolph Nufam,  and  Wiiiiam  Biowne,  were  raifed 
here. 


POBTSMOUTH  ASSOCIATION*  350 

HIGH  HILLS  OF  NOTTOWAY, 

Alio  a  daughter  of  Racoon  Swamp,  has  nothing  re- 
markable. 

SAPPONY 

Fell  firfl  under  the  paftoral  care  of  Mr.  Rivers,  a 
pious  minifler ;  but  his  life  was  (liort.  James  Bell 
was  then  inaugurated  pallor.  He  alfo,  lived  but 
few  years,  and  died.  Since  his  death,  they  have  had 
no  regular  paflor;  but  have  been  attended  by  Mr. 
Browne  flatedlj.     They  have  had  fomc  revivals. 

MILL  SWAMP. 

Within  the  limits  of  this  church,  there  had  been 
for  many  years,  fome  Freewill  Baptifls,  as  they  were 
termed.  Some  time  previous  to  the  year  1774, 
several  of  the  Baptiil  preachers,  holding  with  free 
grace,  preached  among  them.  Their  labours  pro- 
ved fuccefsful  J  and  a  church  w'as  conftituted.  They 
afked,  and  obtained  the  paftoral  fervices  of  David 
Barrow.  From  the  tune  of  the  conftitution,  until 
this  time,  they  have  been  remarked  for  their  regular- 
ity in  the  preservation  of  difcipline  and  order.  God 
has  been  honoured  among  them.  Elder  Barrov/, 
their  paftor,  was  called  of  God  to  occupy  the  pulpit 
at  an  early  period  of  his  life.  Having  a  ftrong  wifh' 
to  advance  the  Reedeemr's  kingdom,  he  availed  Iiim- 
felf  of  every  opportunity  to  improve  his  mind.  He 
applied  himfelf  to  reading ;  and  fought  inftrudtion 
from  every  quarter  within  his  reach.  liis  progrefs 
was  very  confiderable.  His  preaching  and  conver- 
fation  were  admired  Mr.  Barrow  had  no  notion  of 
preaching  barely  for  the  fake  ot  being  admired.  He 
fought  the  falvation  of  men;  he  fought  it  earneftly. 
Receiving  from  heaven  the  bread  of  life,  he  dealt  out 
to  each  one  his  portion,  in  due  feafon.  He  travelled 
and  preached  far  and  wide.  Jefus  was  with  him,  and 
gave  him  many  feals.     His  fpotless  chara(tter  as  a 


066  lilSTOKY    OF    Till. 

chrifbian,  greatly  aided  his  pulpit  labours.  All  who 
::new  him  at  all,  knew  he  was  a  good  man.  In  the 
time  of  the  revolutionary  v/ar,  Mr.  B.  was  a  warm 
whig.  He  exhorted  his  countrymen  to  face  the  ene- 
iny  ;  and  fhake  of  the  yoke  of  Hntifh  bondage.  He 
?et  them  the  example.  When  dangers  prelfed,  Mr. 
B.  voluntarily  fliouldered  his  musket ;  joined  the  ar- 
my ;  and  was  found  ready  for  the  field  of  battle.  His 
unexceptionable  deportment,  rendered  him  very  po- 
pular with  all  defcriptions  of  men.  After  the  revo- 
lution, he  was  perfuaded  to  accept  the  office  of  ma- 
giftrate.  Th5  duties  of  which,  he  difcharged  with 
fidelity  and  ability,  for  fome  years.  Finding  this  of- 
fice incompatible  with  the  regular  difchargc  of  his 
miniilerial  duties,  he  threw  it  up;  refolving  net  to 
be  entangled  with  the  afers  of  this  life. 

He  carried  his  opinions  of  liberty  fofar,  as  to  think 
it  criminal  to  hold  negroes  in  llavery.  He  therefore 
emancipated  all  he  had.  Although  this  m.eafurc 
proved  his  disinterefled  zeil,  to  do  right,  it  is  quefti- 
onable,  whether  it  was  not  in  the  end,  productive  of 
more  evil  than  good.  While  it  embarralfed  his  af- 
fairs, at  home,  by  lefiening  his  refources  for  the 
maintenance  of  a  large  family ;  it  rendered  him  fuf- 
picious  among  his  acquaintances  :  and  probably, 
in  both  ways,  limited  his  ufefulnefs.  After  he  remo- 
ved to  Kentucky,  it  w^as  a  fource  of  much  vexation. 
After  a  life  of  twenty  odd  years'  ufefulnefs  in  Virgi- 
nia, he  moved  to  Kentucky  where  he  quickly  dif- 
tinguiihed  himfelf  as  a  man  of  talents,  piety,  and  ufe- 
fulnefs.    He  is  flill  living. 

OTTER  DAMS, 

Is  now  under  the  care  of  Beverly  Boothe.  He  is 
a  preacher  of  gifts ;  and  refpeftable  among  his  ac- 
quaintances. 

ROWANTY 

Was    formerly  under  the  care  of  JeiTe    Lee  j  a. 


PORTSMOUTH  ASSOCIATIOJW,  S61 

preacher  of  informa'  on.     He  died;  and  thejr  have 
been  fince  deftitute  of  a  regular  paftor, 

DAVENPORT'S 

Has  very  few  white  members :  but  being  in  thfc 
vicinity  of  Petersburg,  there  are,  in  that  city,  a  num- 
ber of  people  of  colour,  members,  Thefe  have  built 
them  a  meeting  houfe  j  and  carry  on  their  vs^orfhip 
regularly,  through  their  preachers  of  colour.  Many 
of  them  are  faid  to  be  very  pious  and  refpedtable  ; 
whilfl:  many  others,  by  their  wretched  Condud;,  make 
the  Baptift  name  a  term  of  reproach.  ^ 

This  is  the  laft  aflbciation  which  can  now  be  taken 
up.  Befides  thofe  already  treated  on,  there  is  one, 
other,  called  Mayo,  partly  in  Virginia,  and  partly  in, 
North  Carolina.  Concerning  which,  the  documents 
have  unfortunately  mifcarried.  They  a^rc^  now  fent 
for,  particularly ;  and,  it  is  hoped,  may  arrive  time 
enough  to  be  annexed  as  a  fupplcment.i^  tf^^^^^  ^ 


V9 


^>V"»*^*^* 


BIOGRAPHY. 


Having  finlihed  the  hiftory  of  the  aflbciations, 
churches,  &c,  we  conceive  our  work  would  be  deii- 
cient,  if  we  (liould  not  furnifh  a  fhort  Biography  of 
the  mofl  dillinguifhed  Miniflers,  who  have  lived  and 
died  faithful  to  their  Divine  Mafter 

We  have  feledled  thofe  chiefly,  who  were  remark- 
able for  fpreading  the  gofpel  in  new  and  ilraoge 
parts. 

The  advantages  of  Biography,  are  almoft  inde- 
fcribable. 

Principles  however  pure,  without  pradice,  an- 
fwer  no  valuable  purpole.  A  man's  life  fhould  al- 
ways be  a  comment  upon  his  profeffion.  Without  this 
the  mofl:  unexceptionable  theories  fall  into  difgracc. 
Much  more  regard  is  generally  paid  to  the  deport- 
ment, than  to  the  declarations  of  profelTors  of  re- 
ligion. /Arguments  in  favor  of  opinions,  are  fome- 
tim.es  powerful  indeed,  but  they  are  feldom  so,  un- 
lefs  backed  by  the  moil  powerful  argument,  good 
examples. 

A  man  may  fliow  his  faith  by  his  words  -,  but  if  he 
wifhes  to  be  believed,  he  muft  fhow  it  by  his  works 
alfo.     Hence  the  proverb :  **  example   often   does 


304  tVTROPUjCTION 

more  than  precept."     Modefly,  or  rather,  humility, 
forbids  that  any  man  fhould  hold  up  his  own  exam- 
ple lor  imitation.  The  examples  of  others  are  (hown 
to  greater  advantage :  and  the  examples  of  the  dead,* 
better  than  thofe  of  the  living. 

Biography  exhibits  to  public  view,  the  moft  pro- 
minent features  of  a  well  fpcnt  life,  and  thereby 
excites  laudable  emulation  in  the  readers,  to  imitate 
the  copy  :  an  emulation  fcarcely  excitable  by  naked 
theories.  ^' 

In  wri4:ings,  both  facred  and  profane,  of  all  ages 
of  the  world.  Biography  has  obtained  a  refpectable 
place.  The  books  of  job  and  Ruth,  are  literal 
biographies.  And  in  all  the  hiftorical  parts  of  the* 
old  and  new  teilaments,  biographical  sketches  arc  to 
be  found 

The  moft  able  profane  writers  of  antiquity,  were 
fometimes  employed  in  drawing  the  lives  of  eminent 
departed  charaders  j  who  having  a(fted  well  the  parts 
allotted  them  on  the  ftage  of  life,  through  the  faith- 
ful hiftorian,  have  lived  after  they  were  dead  :  and 
their  m.eritorious  and  diftinguifhed  adions,  fet  forth, 
as  examples,  to  future  generations.  In  modern  times, 
likewife,  the  excellence  of  great  and  good  nien,  has 
not  been  forgotten  through  the  want  of  writers  capa- 
ble of  tranfmitting  it  down  to  pofterity. 

It  is  quite  pleafing  as  well  as  profitable  thus  to 
form  an  acquaintance  with  men  wliofe  works  we  ad- 
m^ire.  ^J  he  ftatesman,  the  warrior,  and  even  the 
mechanic,  or  navigator,  riiing  into  eminence  in  his 
line  of  adlion,  has  found  his  way  down  to  fubfequent 
ages.  And  why  fhould  not  the  chriftian,  foaring 
above  his  cotemporaries,  in  adts  of  difinterefted  piety 
and  benevolence  ?  Why  ihould  not  the  characSter, 
moft  precious  in  the  light  of  God,  and  moft  valua- 
ble to,  but  not  moft  valued  by  men,  find  a  place 
on  the  page  of  fome  faithful  hiftorian.  Among 
moft,  if  not  all  the  chriftian  fedts,  fuch  men  have 
anfeiji  and  their  lives  and  adions  recorded.     Some  * 


'iO  BIOGBAPllY.  365 


have  been  the  •authors  of  their  own  biography  -,  and 
to  a  certain  extent,  this  is  undoubtedly  very  delirable: 
but  it  is  obvious,  that  at  leaft,  the  finifhing  flroke, 
fhuft  be  put  by  others. 

The  Baptifts  can  boaft  of  but  few  men  of  great 
worldly  eminence.  Like  the  primitive  church,  they 
can  ij^,  *^ot  many  wife,  not  many  mighty,  not  many 
noble  ar^ailed  "  Some  among  them,  however,  have 
been  highly  ufefui  in  advancing  the  caufe  of  pure  re^ 
iigion. 

To  depidt  a  few  traits  in  the  characters  of  fuch, 
feems  properly  to  occupy  fomp  place  in  a  •compilation 
like  the  prefent.  We  will  begin  v^^ith  the  man  who 
commenced  the  moft  diftinguiihed  work.* 

*  Many  things  already  related  in  the  body  of  the  work,  will  be 
uiiiVoidably  repeated  ^n  the  Biography  i  in  ordpr  to  connect  ^he 
narrative. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH]:.' 


DISTiNGVISHED  R4FTISf  PREACIIEBS 


liD  LIVP;D  and  DILDFAITHFtJI 


THE  CAUSE  O^  GOD 


^-  SiiaBAL  STEAKNo. 

IN  ou;  Biogn^phy,  it  feems  moft  proper,  that  v^c 
iliould  commence  wit?;^  tlie  man  who  firll'  commen- 
ced the  work. 

Rev.  Sliubal  Stearns  was  the  fon  of  Shubai  Stearns ; 
and  his  mother's  firft,  oy  maiden  name  was  Rebecca 
Larrifoid.  He  was  burn  in  Bofton,  January  28th, 
1706.  In  about  a'year  after  the  rife  of  the  Separates 
in  New  England,  viz.  1745,,  Mr.  Stearns  joined  them. 
He  became  a  preacher;  ^nd  continued  among  them 
for  about  iivc  or  fix  ycdiS.  But  forming  an  acquaint- 
ance with  ibme  of  the  Baptiils,  he  was  convinced  of 
(he  futility  of  infant  baptifm.  He  wa?  therefore 
baptized  on  a  profciticn  of  faith,  at  Tolahd  in  -Con-* 
I  ncdticut,  by  Kev.  Wait 'Palmer,  anno  1751..  IVIay 
20th,  of  the  fame  year,  he  was  ordaijied  to  the  mi- 
riftry,  by  faid  {\ilmer  and  Rev.  Joihua  Morfe.  In 
the  year  1754,  iMr  Stearns  and  his  company  moved 
from  New  England,  believing  that  God  had  called 


SIIUBAL   STEARNS. 

him  V  weft  ward,  to  do  a  great  work.  It  does  hdf  ap- 
pear that  he  ftarted  with  any  certain  place  in  view, 
on  which  to  fettle  ;  hut^  refolved  to  follow  the  gui- 
dance of  the  fpirit,  as  itftioiild  be  manifeiled  to  hiixi 
from  time  to  time.  The  firli:  place  at  which  he  made 
any  fl:ay,^/as  in  Virginia,  on  Opeckon  creek,  where 
there  wa^a  Haptill  church,  under  the  care  of  8, 
Heton,*"  and  where  he  met  with  rv^r.  Daniel  Mar-. 
fliall  his  brother  in  law,  juil  returned  from  his  miffion 
to  the  Indian  country.  Mr.  Stearns  pitched  at  a 
place  called  Cacapon,  not  far  above  Winchcfter. 
Remaining  there  a  Ihort  time,  and  not  ^finding  that 
minifterial  fuccefs  which  his  impreffions  had  led  him 
to  hope  for:  he  and  his  company,  joined  nov/ by 
Mr.  Marshall  and  his  company,  removed  to  North 
Carolina,  and  fettled  at  a  place  called  Sandy  Creek  ^-j* 
and  immediately  formed  a  church. 

He  continued  to  labour  with  great  affiduity,  aided 
by  Marfhall  and  Breed.  So  great  was  their  fuccefs, 
that  in  a  little  time  this  little  band  fwelled  to  more 
than  fix  hundred.  Mr.  Stearns's  impreffions  ref- 
pe(fting  a* great  work  in  the  weft,  feemed  now  to  be 
verifying :  and  confidering  fubfequent  events,  he 
muft  be  an  infidel  indeed,  who  can  doubt  the  origin 
of  thefe  impreffions. 

He  was  a  preacher  of  fome  dod:rinal  talents ;  but 
he  was  more  remarkable  for  his  zealous,  animating 
manner.  He  brought  from  New  England  the  fame 
tone,  geftures,  &c.  which  had  diftmguiflied  the 
Newlights  in  that  country. 

*  Some  of  our  documents  reprefent  the  Opeckon  church  as 
under  the  care  of  John  Garrard;  and  we  liave  To  reprefentei  h 
in  oar  fecond  page.  But  in  a  paner  finc^  come  to  hand,  and 
thought  to  be  taken  from  Mr.  Marfhall,  by  Rev.  .Jolm  V/illia.ns, 
Mr.  Heton  is  faid  to  be  minifter.  See  liiilory  of*  R.egular  Bap-. 
tifts,  page  289 

t  Some  of  our  manufcripts  fay,  that  Mr.  Marfiiall  moved  to  a 
place  called  Hugwarry,  and  foritied  a  diflincl  church ;  and  thE- 
neither  Stearns  nor  Marfhail  came  to  North  Carolina  until  I757 
But  we  follow  Mr,  Lehnd*s  manufcript  a?  moft  probabI<?* 


o08  mOGRAVllY  oV 

He  v/as  of  finall  flature,  had  a  very  expreiiive  and 
penetrating  eye,  and  a  voice  fingularly  harmonious. 
His  enemies,  it  is  faid,  would  Ibmetimes  be  captiva- 
ted by  his  mufical  voice.  Many  things  are  related  of 
the  enchanting  found  of  his  voice ;  and  the  glance  of 
his  eyes,  which  had  a  meaning  in  every  move.  Mr. 
Stearns  continued  to  difcharge  the  duties  of  paftor,  in 
Sandy  Creek  church,  until  a  fmall  time  before  his 
death;  which  took  place  on  the  20th  of  November, 
1 77 1.  He  lived  and  died  faithful  to  the  important 
trufl  confided  to  him.  Mr.  Stearns  was  an  orator  of 
the  right  fort :  and  the  effed:s  of  his  public  fpeak- 
ingupon  his  hearers,  proved  it  better,  than  if  a  thou- 
fand  finifhed  orations  had  been  publiflied  from  his  lipSi 

He  was  fick  fome  time  previous  to  his  death  ;  and 
in  the  firft  of  his  illnefs  expfefled  fome  unhappinefs 
at  the  darknefs  of  his  mind ;  but  for  a  confiderabk 
time  before  his  deceafe,  his  foul  became  triumphant ; 
and  he  exprefibd  a  longing  defire  to  depart  and  t6  be 
with  Chrifl. 


DANIEL  MARSHALL. 

Although  Mr,  Marshall  was  not  a  V^irginian  by 
birth  ;  nor  ever  relided  long  in  Virginia ;  yet,  as  many 
of  his  fuccefsful  labours  were  devoted  to  the  inha- 
bitants of  Virginia,  we  cannot  forego  the  pleafure  of 
infertinc:  a  (hort  sketch  of  this  excellent  man's  life. 
We  do  this  with  greater  delight,  becaufe'  we  have  it 
in  our  power  to  tranfcribe  from  the  eloquent  pen  of 
Rev.  Mr.  Abraham  Marfnall  the  amiable  fon  of  this 
venerable  man. 

This  sketch,  Vv'hich  we  prefent  entire  to  our  read- 
ers, was  dratvn  by  Mr.  Mariliall  and  published  in  the 
Georgia  Analytical  Repofitory,  in  1802.  The  ap- 
pendix was,  we  prefume,  written  by  Rev.  Mr.  HoK 
combe,  the  editor  of  the  Repofitory. 


'  .DANIEL   MARSHALL.  SCi) 

''*  In  giving  a  biographical  sketch  of  my  honoured 
father,  wc  muft  look  back  to  the  diftance  of  alniofb 
a  century.  His  birth  was  in  the  year  of  our  Lord, 
J 706,  in  Windfor,  a  to\^  in  ConneOicut.  He  was 
religioufly  educated,  by  refpcdable  and  pious  pa-% 
rents  ;  and  being  hopefully  converted  at  twenty  years 
of  age,  joined  the  then  (landing  order  of  Prefl)yterians 
in  his  native  place.  The  natural  ardour  of  his  mind 
foon  kindled  into  the  fire  of  holy  zeal;  and  without 
the  advantage  of  a  liberal  education,  raifed  him  fo 
high  in  the  efteem  of  his  brethren,  that  they  called 
him  to  the  office  nf  a  deacon.  In  the  exemplary  dif- 
charge  of  his  duty,  in  this  capacitv,  he  continued 
near  twenty  years.  During  this  time,  in  eafy  cir- 
cumftances,  he  married ;  and  loft  a  wife,  by  whorn 
he  had  a  fon,  named  after  himfelf,  Daniel  ;  who  is 
ftill  a  ufeful  member  of  fociety.  At  the  age  of  thir- 
ty eight  years,  our  worthy  parent  was  one  of  the 
thoufands,  in  New  hngland,  who  heard  that  fon  of 
thunder.  Rev.  George  Whitfield,  and  caught  his  ie- 
raphic  fire.  Firmly  believing  in  the  near  approach 
of  the  *  latter  day  glory,'  whei!  the  Jews,  with  the 
fuUnefs  of  tiie  gentiles,  fliall  hail  tneir  Redeemer, 
and  bow  to  his  gentle  fceptre  ;  a  number  of  worthy 
characTters  ran  to  and  fro,  through  the  eaftern  ftates, 
warmly  exhortmg  to  the  prompt  adoption  of  every 
meafure  tending  to  haften  that  blifsful  period. 
Others  fold,^  gave  away,  or  left  their  poiTeiTions  ;  as 
the  powerful  impulfe  of  the  momiCnt  determined  ; 
and,  without  fcrip,  or  purfe  rufhed  up  to  the  head  of 
the  Sufquehanna,  to  convert  the  heathens ;  and  fet- 
tled in  a  town  called  Onnaquaggy,  among  the  Mo- 
hawk Indians.  One,  and  not  the  leaft  fanguinc,  of 
thefe  pious  mifiionaries,  was  my  venerable  fither. 
Great  muft  have  been  his  faith !  great  his  zeal  ! 
when,  without  the  leaft  profpecit  of  a  temporal,  re- 
ward, with  a  much  beloved  wife  and  three  chidren, 
he  exchanged  his  commodious  buildings,  for  a  mifer- 


370  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

able  hut ;  his  fruitful  fields  and  loaded  orchards,  for 
barren  deferts  j  the  luxuries  of  a  well  furniflied  table, 
for  coarfe  and  fcanty  fare;  and  numerous  civil  friends, 
for  rude  favages  !  He  had^he  happinefs,  however, 
tb  teach  and  exhort  for  eighteen  months,  in  this  place, 
with  confiderale  fuccefs.  A  number  of  the  Indians 
were,  in  fome  degree,  impreiled  with  eternal  con- 
cerns ;  and  feveral  became  cordially  obedient  to  the 
gofpel.  Rut  juft  as  the  feeds  of  heavenly  truth,  fown 
with  tears,  in  this  unpromiling  foil,  began  to  appear 
ill  their  firft  fruits,  the  breaking  out  of  war  among 
the  favage  tribes  occafioned  his  reluctant  removal  to 
Connogogig,  in  Pennfylvania.  From  thence,  after 
lindmg  it  much  more  difficult  to  benefit  fcribes 
and  pharifees,  than  publicans  and  finners,  Ije  remo- 
ved to  a  place  near  NV  incheller,  in  Virginia. 

Here  he  became  acquainted  with  a  Baptifi:  church, 
belonging  to  the  Philadelphia  Alibciation;  and  as  the 
relult  of  a  clofe,  impartial  examination  of  their  faith 
and  order,  he  and  my  dear  mother  were  baptized  by 
immerfion,  in  the  fofty  eighth  year  of  his  life.  He 
was  now  called,  as  a  lice J) fed  preacher,  to  the  unre- 
ftrained  exercife  of  his  gifts ;  and  though  they  were 
by  no  means  above  mediocrity,  he  was  inftrumental 
in  awakening  attention,  in  many  of  his  hearers,  to 
the  interefls  of  their  fouls. 

Under  tlte  influence  of  an  anxious  defire  to  be  ex- 
tenfively  ufeful,  he  proceeded  from  Virginia,  to  Hug- 
warry,  in  North  Carolina;  where  his  faithful  andin- 
cefiant  labours  proved  the  happy  means  of  aroufing 
and  converting  numbers.  Being  evidently,  and  emi- 
nently ufeful,  as  an  itinerant  preacher,  he  continued 
his  peregrination  to  Abbot's  creek,  in  the  fameftate; 
where  he  was  the  inftrument  of  planting  a  church ; 
of  which  he  was.  ordained  paftor,  in  the  fifty  fecond 
year' of  his  age,  by  his  brothers  in  law.  Rev.  Mefii's* 
Henry  Ledbetter,  and  Shubal  Stearns.  Soon  after 
receiving  this  honour,  my  reverend  father  travelling 
:it  ditterent  times,  into  Virginia,  baptized  colonel  Sa- 


DANIEL   MARSHALL.  371 

muel  Harris,  with  whom  he  immediately  afterwards 
made  fcver-.l  tours,  and  preached,  and  planted  the 
golpcl  in  various  places,  as  far  as  lames*  river.  It 
was  but  a  few  years  after  his  ordination,  before,  in- 
duced by  appearances  of  increafmg  ufetulnefs,  he  took 
an  affecftionate  leave  of  his  beloved'  charge,  and  fettled 
on  Beaver  creek,  in  South  Carolina. 

In  this  place,  likewife,  a  church  was  raifed  under 
his  miniiby ;  and  until  brought  to  a  good  degree  of 
maturity  in  divine  things,  was  an  objed  of  his  tender 
and  unremitted  care  and  folicitude.  At  the  direction 
of  divine  Providence,  as  he  conceived,  and  as  fubfe^ 
quent  events  have  proved,  his  next  removal  was  to 
Horfe  creek,  about  fifteen  miles  North  of  Augufta. 

The  fruits  of  his  labours  in  this  place  remain  in  a 
refpecftable  church ;  fome  of  whofe  fons,  raifed  up 
under  his  care,  have  fuccefsfully  diftufed  the  light  of 
divine  truth  through  various  benighted  regions. 
From  Horfe  creek  my  aged  father  made  his  firfl  vi- 
fits  to  this  ftate.  On  the  fecond  or  third  of  thefe, 
while  in  prayer,  he  was  feized,  in  the  prefence  of  his 
audience,  for  preaching  in  the  parilli  of  St.  Paul ;  and 
made  to  give  fecurity  for  his  appearance  in  Augufta, 
on  the  following  Monday,  to  anfwer  this  charge. 
Accordingly,  he  ilood  a  trial ;  and  after  his  meeknefs 
and  patience  were  fufficiently  exeicifed,  he  was  or- 
dered to  come,  as  a  preacher,  no  more  into  Georgia. 

In  the  words  of  an  apoftie,  limilarly  circumftanced, 
he  replied,  **  Whetiier  it  be  right  to  obey  ^iod,  or 
man,  judge  ye."  Conliilently  with  this  juft,  and 
fpirited  replication,  he  purfued  his  luminous  courfe : 
and  on  the  ift  of  January,  771,  came  with  his  fami- 
ly, and  took'  up  his  final  earthly  refidencc  at  the 
Kioke.  The  following  fpring,  the  church  here  was. 
formed  ;  and  it  is  famous  for  having>furniflied  mate- 
rials for  feveral  other  churches.  For  this  purpofe, 
many  common  me.ibers  have  been  difmiffed,  and  (q- 
veral  minillers  ordained.  Among  thefe  are  Rev. 
MeiTrs.  Saunders  Walker^y  San;\uel  Newton,  Lovelefs 


S7t  lilOGRAPIIY  OF 

Savage,  Alexander  Scott,  and  tne  writer  of  this  arti- 
cle. Through  God's  bleffingon  the  miniftry  of  her 
indefatigable  founder,  and  paftor,  this  church  continu- 
ed to  lengthen  htr  cords,  and  ftrengthen  her  flakes ; 
breaking  forth  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left;  un- 
til our  beloved  country  was  unhippil v  involved  in  the 
Jiorrors  of  war.  N  o  fc  enes,  however,  from  the  com- 
mencement to  the  termination  of  holHlities,  were  fo 
gloomy  and  alarming  as  to  deter  my  ineffimable  fa- 
ther from  difcharging  the  duticN  of  his  ftation.  Nei- 
ther reproaches,  nor  threatenings  could  excite  in  him 
the  leafl  appearance  of  timidity,  or  any  thing  incon- 
iiflent  with  chriftian  and  minifterial  heroifm.  As  a 
friend  to  the  American  caufe,  he  was  once  made  a 
prifoner,  and  put  under  a  flrong  guard.  But  obtam- 
ing leave  of  the  officers,  he  commenced  and  fupported 
fo  heavy  a  charge  of  exhortation  and  prayer,  that,  like 
Daniel  of  old,  while  his  enemies  flood  amazt-d  and 
confounded,  he  was  fafely  and  honourably  delivered 
from  this  den  of  lions.  Even  the  infirmities  of  old 
age,  and  the  evident  approach  of  the  kmg  of  terrors, 
were  not  fufficient  to  fhake  his  faith  or  hope ;  nor, 
'  in  the  leafl  perceivable  degree,  to  abate  his  zeal. 

A  few  months  previous  to  his  deceafe,  rifing  in  his 
pulpit,  which  he  had  frequently  befprinkled  with  his 
tears,  and  from  which  he  had  as  often  defcended  to 
weep  over  a  carelefs  auditory  -,  he  faid, 

"  1  addrefs  you,  my  dear  hearers,  with  a  diffidence 
that  arifes  trom  a  failure  of  memory,  and  a  gener;il 
weaknefs  of  body  and  mind,  common  to  my  years. 
But  1  recollect,  *  he  that  holds  out  to  the  end  ffiall  be 
faved  ;*  and  I  am  refolved  to  iinifh  my  courfe  in  the 
caufe  of  God." 

Accordingly,  he  attended  public  worfhip  regular- 
ly ;  even  through  his  lingering  mortal  illnefs'3  until 
the  laft  fabbath,  but  one,  before  his  difTolution.  In 
his  family,  he  invariably  performed  his  ulual  round 
of  holy  duties,  until  the  morning  immediately  prece- 
ding his  happy  change.     Fully  apprized  of  this,  as 


DANIEL  MARSHALL. 


at  hand,  and  per-fedlly  in  his  fenfes,  he  expreffcd,  dif- 
tindly  and  emphatically,  his  fteady  and  increafing 
confidence  of  future  blifs.    - 

The  following,  taken  by  me,  in   the  prefence  of 
a  few  deeply  affed:ed  friends  and  relatives,  as  he  deli- 
vered them,  were  his  lafl  words  : 
f'     **  Dear  brethren  and  fillers,  1  am  jufl  gone.    This 
\riight  i  {hall,  probably,  expire.      But  1  have  nothing 
to  fear.     1  have  fought  a  good  fight ;  I  luve  finiflied 
ly  courfe  ;  I  have  kept  the  faith.     And  hencefortli 
there   is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteoufnefs. 
fGod  has  ihown  me,  that  he  is  my  God  ;  that  I  am  his 
fon  ;  and,  that  an  eternal  weight  of  glory  is  mine  !" 

The  venerable  partner  of  his  cares,  and,  1  may  add, 
faithful  afliftynt  in  all  his  labours  j  fitting  bedewed 
with  teuTS,  by  his  fide  3  he  proceeded  : 

**  Go  on,  my  dear  wife,  to  ferve  the  Lord.  Hold 
out  to  the  end.     Eternal  glory  is  befcre  us  !" 

After  a  filence  of  Ibme  minutes,  he  called  me,  and 
faid,  "  IVly  breath  is  almoU  gone.  I  have  been  pray- 
ing that  i  may  go  home,  to-night.  I  had  great  hap- 
piness in  our  worfiiip  this  morning ;  particularly  in 
iinging,  which  will  make  a  part  of  my  exerciles  in  a 
blefi^ed  eternity." 

Now,  gently  clofing  his  eyes  he  cheerfully  gave 
up  his  foul  to  God,  with  whom,  1  doubt  not  he 
walks,  "  high  in  falvation,  and  the  climes  of  blifs." 

This  folemn  event  took  place  at  the  dawn  of  the 
fecondday  of  November,  1784,  in  thefeventy  eighth 
year  of  his  age, 

A  fuitable  difcourfe  to  his  mem^ory,  w^as  delivered 
from  the  above  mentioned  paffage  of  holy  writ,  by 
the  late  Rev.  Charles  Bufiey. 

VVhatever  infirmities  might  appear  in  my  certainly 
eminently  pious,  and  extenfively  ufeful  father,  it 
would  not  become  me  to  bring  them  into  view,  ex- 
cept it  were  to  fi.ow,  as  might  afil  be  done,  that 
**  e'en  his  failings  1  aned  to  v  rtue's  fide."  And  I 
handle  too  feeble  a  pen  tc  delineate  the  various  excel- 


374  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

lent  quilitlcs  ani  graces,  which  adorned   hiiij,   in 
every  relation  he  fuftained  through  fife.     I  will  only 

Tho'no  proud  pile,  learn'd  pen,  nor  letter'd  ftone, 
His  virtues  rare,  to  late  po{terity  reveals  ; 

He'  11  ever  Ihine,  and  v/axingly  has  (hone, 
Through  rolling  years,  ia  minifterial  feals. 

A.  M." 


APPENDIX 
To  the  Biography  of  Mr.  Marshall. 

In  1748,  Mr.  Marfliall  married  his  fecond  and; 
lafl:  wife,  Mifs  Martha  Stearns,  lifter  to  Rev.  Shu- 
bal  Stearns.  Mr.  IVlarihall  had  the  rare  felicity  of 
finding  in  this  lady,  a  Prifcilla,  a  helper  in  the  gof- 
pel.  In  fad:,  it  fliould  not  be  concealed  that  his  ex- 
traordinary fuccefs  in  the  miniftry,  is  afcribable  in  no 
fmall  degree,  to  Mrs.  Marfhall's  unwearied,  and  zeal- 
ous co-operation.  Without  the  fliadow  of  a  ufurped 
authority  over  the  other  fex,  Mrs  Marfliall,  being  a 
lady  of  good  fenfe,  fingular  piety,  and  furpriling 
elocution,  has,  in  countlefs  inftances,  melted  a  whole 
concourfe  into  tears,  by  her  prayers  and  exhortations! 

Another  caufe  to  which  VIr.  Marfliall's  diftin- 
guiflied  utility  is  attributable,  in  a  great  meafure,  was 
his  bold  and  independent  method  of  procedure. 
With  a  foul  expanded  by  contemplations  on  auguft 
objed-s,  a  boundlefs  ambition  direded  to  a  corref- 
pondent  prize,  and  the  world  completely  under  his 
feet,  he  was  capable  of  the  moft  difficult  and  arduous 
enterprizes ;  and  could  be  difmayed  by  no  dangers. 
Superior  to  local  attachments,  he  v/ent  from  place  to 
place,  inftrudi ng,  exhorting,,  and  praying  for  indivi- 
duals, families,  and  congregations .  whether  at  a  liiuf- 
ter,  a  raco,  a  ^mbiic  mar.i^^L,  xh.  open  field,  an  army. 


DANIEL    MAUSHALL.  3i5 

or  a  houfe  of  vvorfhip ;  wherever  he  was  able  to  com^ 
mand  attention. 

Such  coiidud:  was,  indeed,  and  may  ftill,  by  many, 
be  conlidered  irregular;  and  little  lefs  than  as  favour- 
ing of  infanity.  But  if  he  a(5led  in  fome  of  theie  in- 
ftances  as  if  he  were  belide  himfelf,  it  was  for  the 
fake  of  precious  fouls :  and  the  fruits  of  his  ailonifli- 
ing  exertions  have  abundantly  fliowii  that  he  was 
conftrained  by  the  love  of  Chrift. 

It  may  poffij^ly  be  thought  that  IVIr.  Marfhall  was 
the  fubjedf  of  deiufive  hopes  ;  and  culpably  enthuii- 
aftic,  when  he  left  New  Bngland,  with  a  family,  to 
roam  under  the  rifing  beams  of  the  latter-day  glory, 
as  he  fuppofed,  for  the  converfion  of  fouls.  But  let 
this  matter  be  fairly  confidered,  and  it  will  appear; 
that  his  moil  fanguine  expectations  muft  have,  fo  far, 
been  fully  realized.  Since  the  period  at  which  Mr, 
Marfliall  commenced  his  career,  thofe  burning  and 
fhining  lights.  Rev.  MelTrs.  Whitneld  and  Wesley 
with  their  zealous  affociates  and  numerous  follow- 
ers, have  aroufed  a  (lumbering  world,  and  liberally 
flied  the  luftre  of  truth  in  its  darkefh  receiles ;  thou- 
fandsofable  and  evangelical  writers  and  preachers 
have  been  raifed  up,  and  as  many  gofpei  churches 
formed ;  a  revolution  in  America  has  bellowed  re- 
ligious liberty  on  one  quarter  of  the  globe;  the  man 
of  iin's  fyftem  has  been  almoft  demolifhed,  with  a 
vengeance  that  makes  us  tremble  ;  liberty' of  confci- 
ence  has  made  rapid  advances  in  Europe;  the  fhouts 
of  all  truly  religious  denominations,  have  been  min- 
gled at  the  funeral  of  bigotry;  the  fcriptures  have 
been  tranflated  into  feveral  barbarous  languages ; 
mifhonaries  have  gone  out,  literally,  into  all  the 
world;  andiinners,  of  all  defcriptions,^  have  fallen,  by 
thoufands,  beneath  the-fwordof  the  Spirit,  v/hich  is 
the  word  of  God. 

•  Nov/,  can  it  be  reafonably  prefumcd,  that  when 
Mr-  Marfhalj,  in  the  fervour  of  his  piety,  exchiinged 


BIOGRAPHY  OF 


New  England  for  the  ^4ohawk  nation,  he  expe^f^ed, 
that  by  this  time,  the  kingdom  of  Chriil  would  be  in 
a  more  refped:able  and  triumphant,  ftate,  than  is  fuf- 
flcicnt  to  make  its  moft  formidable  enemies  gnaw 
their  chains  ? 

As  to  any  fpccial  confidence  that  Mr.  Marihall 
might  have  in  God  as  engaged  to  preft*'-'e  and  prof- 
per  a  family  devoted  to  his  fervice,  tlit  reader  will 
probably  be  of  opinion  that  it  could  not  have  been 
ftronger  than  it  was  well  founded,  on  running  his 
eye  over  the  following  faifts  : 

With  pleafure  I  announce  to  the  chriftian  world, 
that  one  of  its  brightefh  ornaments,  Mr.  Marfhall's 
aged  and  venerable  relid:,  is  not  only  yet  in  time, 
but  with  an  uncommon  fhare  of  good  health,  enjoys 
a  flow  of  comfortably  cheerful  fpirits. 

Mrs.  Marshall,  in  the  enjoyment  of  all  that  can 
render  life  a  blelling,  has  a  pleafant  relidcnce  in  Co- 
lumbia county,  near  Augufta,  and  is  furrounded  by 
her  ftep  fon,  Mr.  Daniel  Marihall,  all  the  children, 
flie  ever  bore.  Rev.  Abraham  Marfhall,  MefTrs.  John, 
Zacheus,  Levi,  Mofes,  Solomon,  and  Jofeph  Mar- 
lliall,  two  daughters,  Mrs.  Eunice  Pittman  and  Mrs. 
Mary  Willborn,  and  about  fifty  grandchildren. 

I  cannot  take  leave  of  this  very  remarkable  and 
highly  favoured  family  without  foliciting  Mrs.  Mar- 
fhall's  pardon,  for  the  freedom  of  fome  of  the  pre- 
ceding remarks,  which  truth  and  duty  urged  me  to 
make :  and  fmcerely  wifliing  that  my  reverend  friend 
Mr.  Abraham  Marfliall,  to  a  greater  age  than  that 
of  his  renowned  father,  may  be  clafled  by  all,  but 
himfelf,  with  the  moft  eloquent,  popular,  and  ufeful 
charaders  in  the  ftate  of  Georgia,  V.  S, 


SAMUEL  IIArvRlSS.  ^77 


SAMUEL  HARRISS. 

By  reverting  to  the  biography  of  Mr.  Marfliali,  th(5 
reader  will  find  thct  in  one  of  his  evangelical   jour-* 
nies,  he  had  the  iingular  happinefs  to  baptize  Mr, 
Samuer  H.^nifs,  commonly  called  Colonel  Harrifs, 
Mr.  Harrii..  was  born  in  Hanover  county,  Virginia, 
January  T2th,  1724       Few  men  could  boaft  of  mote 
refpe(5table  parentage.      His  education,  though  not 
the  mofl  liberal,  was  very  confiderable,  for  the  cuf- 
toms  of  thatday.  AVhen  young,  he  moved  to  the  coun- 
ty of  Pittfylvania  :  and  as  he  advanced  in  age,  became 
a  favourite  with  the  people,  as  well  as  with  the  rulers. 
He  was  appointed  church  warden,  iheriff,  a  juflice 
of  the  peace,  burgefs  for  the  county,  colonel  of  the 
militia,  captain  of  Mayo  fort,  and  commifTary  for  the 
fort  and  army.     All  thefe  thint^s,  however,  he  count- 
ed but  drofs,  that  he  might  win  Chrift  Jefus,  and  be- 
come a  minifter  of  his  word,  am.ong  the  Baptiils ;  a 
fe(ft  at  that  time  every  where  fpoken  againft.      His 
converfion  was  efteCted  in  the  following  way  :   He 
iirft  became  ferious  and  melancholy  without  know- 
ing why       By  reading  and  converfation,  he  difcover- 
ed  that  he  was  a  haplds  fmner ;  and  that  a  (cniQ  of  his 
guilt,    was   the   true    caufe  of  his   gloom  of  mind. 
PrelTed  with  this  convidtion,  he  ventured  to  attend 
Baptift  preaching.     On  one  of  his  routes  to  vifit  the 
forts  in  his  official  charad:er,   he  called  at  a  fmall 
houfe,  where  he  underftood  there  was  to  be  Baptift 
preaching.     The  preachers    were  Jofeph  and   Wil- 
liam Murphy  ;  at  that  time,  commonly  called  Mur- 
phy's boys.     Being  rigged  in  his  military  drefs,  he 
was  not  willing  to   appear  in   a  confpicuous  place. 
He  feated  himfeif  behind  a  loom.     God,  nevcrthe- 
lefs,  found  him  out  by  his  Spirit       His  convidions 
nov/  funk   fo  deep,  that  he  could  no  longer  conceal 
them.     He  left  his  fword  and  other  parts  of  hi3  rig- 
ging fome  in  one  place,  and  ibmein  another.    The  ar- 

X  y 


o7b  l)IGGR^\pIIV  Ol'" 

rows  of  the  Almighty  ftuck  fad  in  him  j  nor  could  he 
fhake  them  off,  until  fome  time  after.  At  a  meeting, 
when  the  congregation  rofe  from  prayer,  colonel  Har- 
rifs  was  obferved  ftill  on  his  knees,  with  his  head  and 
hands  hanging  over  the  bench.  Some  of  the  people 
went  to  his  relief;  and  foand  him  fenfelefs.  When 
he  came  to  himfelf,  he  fmiled ;  and  in  an  ecftacy 
of  joy,  exclaimed.  Glory !  glory !  glory  !  &c.  ^oon 
after  this,  he  was  baptized  by  Rev.  Daniel  ^4arfllall ; 
as  mentioned  above.  This  probably  took  place, 
fome  time  in  the  year  1758.  He  did  not  confer  with 
iielli  and  blood ;  but  immediately  began  his  minifte- 
i-ial  labours  j  which  afterwards  proved  fo  efFe(f>ual  as 
to  acquire  him  the  name  of  the  Virginia  apofrle. 

In  1759,  he  was  ordained  a  ruling  elder.  His  la- 
bours were  chiefly  confined,  for  the  firfl  fix  or  {even 
years,  to  the  adjacent  counties  of  Virginia  and  North 
Carolina;  never  having  palled  to  the  north  of  James 
river,  until  the  year  1765.  During  the  iirll  years  of 
his  miniftry,  he  often  travelled  with  Mr.  IV'J  arfliall ; 
and  mufl  have  caught  much  of  his  fpirit.  For  there 
is  obviouHy  a  confiderable  refemblance  in  their  man- 
ner. January,  1765,  Allen  Wyley  travelled  out  to 
Pittfylvania,  to  feek  for  a  preacher.*  He  had  been 
prevjoufly  baptized  by  fome  Regular  Baptift  minif- 
ter  in  Fauquier ;  but  not  being  able  to  procure 
preachers  to  attend  in  his  own  neighbourhood,  and 
hearing  of  the  Newlights,  (as  they  were  called  in 
North  Carolina),  he  fet  out  by  himfelf,  fcarcely 
knowing  whither  he  was  going.  God  diredled  his 
way,  and  brought  him  into  the  neigbourhood  of  i\ir. 
Harrifs,  on  a  meeting  day.  He  went  to  the  meet- 
ing, and  was  immediately  noticed,  by  Mr.  Harrifs, 
-and  asked  whence  he  came.  He  replied  that  he  was 
feeking  a  gofpel  minifler ;  and  God  having  diredled 
his  courfe  to  him,  that  he  was  the  man :  and  that 
he  wifl:>ed  him  to  go  with   him  to  Culpeper.      Mr* 

*  ScGppge  7.' 


SAMUEL  IIARRISS,  .  379 

Hurrlfs  agreed  to  go,  like  Peter  nothing  doubting  but 
it  was  a  call  from  God.  The  effeds  of  his  vifit  may 
be  ken  in  another  part  *of  this  work,  page  lo.  After 
this,  three  others  came  from  Spottfylvania,  to  obtain 
Mr.  Harrffss  fsrvices.  He  departed  into  North 
Carolina,  to  feek  James  Read,  who  was  ordained  to 
the  minillry.  Their  labours  were  fo  highly  tavour- 
ed,  that  from  that  time,  Mr.  Harrifs  became  alniofl 
a'cdnftant  travelier.  Not  confining  himfelf  to  nar- 
row limits,  but  led  on  from  place  to  place;  wherever 
he  coaid  fee  an  opening  to  do  good  there  he  would 
hoift  the  fl  ig  of  peace.  There  was  fcarcely  any  place 
in  Virginia,  in  which  he  did  not  low  the  gofpel 
feed,  it  was  not  until  176c,  th^t  this  eminently  ufe- 
fiil  man  was  ordained  to  the  adminiitration  of  ordi- 
nances. Why  hs  was  not  ordamed,  at  an  earlier  pe- 
riod, is  not  certainly  known.  '  SoiJit  i-xj^  tliat  he  did 
not  wiili  it.  Others,  that  his  opinions  refped:ing  the 
fupport  of  ministers,  were  objected  to  by  the  leading 
elders.  After  his  ordination,  he  baptized  as  v/ell  as 
preached. 

In  every  point  of  view,  Mr.  Harrifs  might  be  con- 
sidered, as  one  of  the  mofl  excellent  of  men.  Being 
in  eafy  circumftances,  when  he  became  religious,  he 
devoted  not  only  himfelf,  butalmod  all  his  property, 
to  religious  objects.  He  had  begun  a  large  new 
dwelling  houfe,  fuitable  to  his  former  dignity ;  which, 
as  foon  as  it  was  covered  in,  he  appropriated  to  the 
ufe  of  public  worfliip  :  continuing  to  live  in  the  old 
one. 

After  maintaining  his  family  in  a  very  frugal  man- 
ner, he  diilributed  his  furplus  income  to  chariti^ble 
purpofes.  During  the  war,  when  it  was  extremely 
difficult  to  procure  lalt,  he  kept  two  v/aggons  run- 
ning to  Petersburg,  to  bring  up  fait  for  his  neigh- 
bours. His  manners  were  of  the  mofl  winning  iurt; 
having  a  fmgular  talent  at  touching  the  feelings. 
He  fcarcely  ever  went  into  a  houfe,  ..withowt  exhort- 
ing and  praying  for  thofe  he  met  there.  , 


S80  BIOGRAPHY  OK 

Asa  dodlrlnal  preacher,  his  talents  were  rather  be- 
low mediocrity;  unlefs  at  thofe  times  when  he  was 
highly  favoured  from  above  :  then,  he  would  fome- 
times  difplay  confiderable  ingenuity.  His  excellen- 
cy lay  chie^y  in  addreffing  the  heart :  and  perhaps 
even  V^.  hitiield  did  not  furpafs  him  in  this.  When 
animated  hmifeif,  he  fldom  failed  to  animate  his  au- 
ditory, borne  have  defcribed  him,  when  exhorting 
at  great  meetings,  as  pouring  forth  ftreams  of  celtfti- 
al  lightning  from  his  eyes  ;  which,  whitherfoever  he 
turned  his  face,  would  rtrikc  dov/n  hundreds  at  once. 
Hence  he  was  often  called  Boanerges.  So  much  was 
Mfv  Harrifs  governed  by  his  feelings,  that  if  he  be- 
gan to  preach,  and  did  not  feel  fomc  liberty  of  utter- 
ance, he  would  tell  his  audience  he  could  not  preach 
without  the  I.-ordj  and  then  lit  down.  Not  long  be- 
fore the  commencement  of  the  great  revival  in  Vir- 
ginia, Mr.  H.  had  a  paralytic  ftroke  ;  from  which  he 
never  entirely  recovered.  Y  et  this  did  not  deter  him 
from  his  diligent  ufefulnefs.  If  he  could  not  go  as 
far,  he  was  ftill  not  idle  within  that  fphere  allowed 
him  by  his  infirmities.  At  all  ailociations  and  ge- 
neral committees  where  he  was  delegated,  he  was 
ialmoil  invariably  made  moderator.  This  office,  like 
every  thing  elfe,  he  difcharged  with  fome  degree  of 
Singularity,  yet  with  general  fatisfadlion. 

For  fome  fliort  time  previous  to  his  death,  his  fen- 
fes  were  confiderably  palfied.  So  that  we  are  depri- 
ved of  luch  pious  remarks,  as  would  probably  have 
fallen  from  this  extraordinary  fervantofGod  in  his, 
Jafi:  hours. 

He  was  fomewhat  over  feventy  years  of  age  when 
he  died. 

The  remarkable  anecdotes  told  of  Mr    H.   are  fa 
numerous,  that  they  would  fill  a  volume  of  them- 
felves,  if  they  were  colleded.     A  part  of  them  Q^ilj?- 
we  fhall  record.  -  ••  *^*  ■* 

Mr.  H.  like  Mr.  Marfliall,  pofiefied  a  foul  incapable 
of  being  difmayed  by  any  difficulties.     To  obtaiahis 


SA^IUEL    IIARRISS.  3S1 

jwn  content  to  undertake  a  laudable  enterprize,  it 
was  futficient  for  him  to  know  that  it  was  pollible. 
His  faith  was  fufficient  to  throw  mountains  into  the 
fea,  if  they  ilood  in  the  way.  He  feems  alfo  never  to 
have  been  apalled  by  the  fear  or  the  fliame^of  man. 
lie  could  confront  the  ftoutefh  fon  of  pride,  and 
boldly  urge  the  humble  doctrines  of  the  crofs.  Like 
the  brave  foldier,  if  beaten  back  at  the  ftrft  onfet,  he 
was  iliil  ready  for  a  further  affauit.  So  that  he  often 
conquered  oppofers,  that,  to  others,  appeared  com- 
pletely hopelefs.  With  this  fpirit  he  commenced  hit 
career. 

Early  after  he  embraced  religion,  his  mind  was  im- 
prefled  with  a  deiire  to  preach  to  the  officers  and 
foldiers  in  the  fort.  An  opportunity  offered  in  fort 
Mayo  ;  and  Mr.  Harrifs  began  his  harangue  ;  urging 
moft  vehemently  the  neceffity  of  the  new  birth.  Li 
the  courfe  of  his  harangue,  an  officer  mterrupted  him, 
faying,  **  Colonel,  you  have  fucked  much  eloquence 
from  the  rum  cask,  to-day  :  Pray  give  us  a  little ; 
that  we  may  declaim  as  well,  when  it  comes  to  our 
turn."  Harrifs  replied,  *  I  am  not  drunk/  and  re~ 
fumed  his  difcourfe.  He  had  not  gone  far,  before  he 
was  accofted  by  another,  in  a  ferious  manner:  who, 
looking  in  his  face,  faid,  **  Sam,  you  fay  you  are  not 
drunk  j  pray  are  you  not  mad,  then  ?  What  the  de- 
vils ails  you!"  Colonel  Harrifs  replied,  in  the 
words  of  Paul,  *  I  am  not  mad,  mod  noble  gentle- 
man.' He  continued  fpeaking  publicly  and  private- 
ly, until  one  of  the  gentlemen  received  fuch  impref- 
lions  as  were  never  afterwards  fhaken  oft.  He  be- 
came a  pious  chriflian. 

At  another  time,  a  captain  Ball,  in  the  county  of 
Culpeper,  came  to  a  place  where  Mr.  Harrifs  was 
to  preach,  and  faid  to  him,  "  You  fliall  not  preach 
here."  Another  replied,  **  But  he  (hall."  From 
this  (harp  contention  of  words,  they  proceeded  to  a 
a  (harper  conteft  of  blows  and  fcuffies.  Friends  on 
both    fiaes   rntereliQd   themfelve?^  ;     fome    to    rn^ke 


oSS  IJIOGRAPHY  01' 

peace,.  ^Ad  others  to  back  their  foremen.  The  mul- 
titude divided.  Colonel  Harifs's  friends  took  him 
into  a  houfe.  Lewis  Craig  was  to  guard  tlie  door, 
while  Mrv  H.  was  preaching.  Ball's  gang  came  up 
-and  drov^thedentinel  from  his  ftand.  The  day  end- 
ed witli  noihin?-  butconfufion. 

o 

On  another  occalion,  he  was  arreflcd  and  carried 
into  court,  as  a  dlfturber  of  the  peace.  In  court,  a 
captain  Willams  vehemently  accufcd  him  as  a  vaga- 
bond, a  heretic,  and  a  mover  of  fcdition  everywhere. 
Mr.  IJarrifs  made  his  defence.  But  the  court  or- 
dered that  he  fliould  not  prcach'in  the  county  again, 
for  the  fpace  of  twelve  months  ;  or  be  committed  to 
prifon.  The  colonel  told  them  that  he  lived  two 
hundred  miles  from  thence  ^  and  that  it  was  not  like- 
ly that  he  lliouid  difturb  them  again,  in  the  courfe  of 
one  year,  Upon  this  he  was  difmiiled.  From  Cul- 
peper  he  went  into  Fauquier ;  and  preached  at  Car- 
ter's run.  From  thence  he  croffed  the  Blue  ridge; 
and  preached  in  Shenandoah.  On  his  return  from 
thence,  he  turned  in  at  captain  Thomas  Clanahan's, 
in  the  county  of  Culpeper,  where  there  was  a  meet- 
ing. While  certain  young  minifters  were  preaching, 
the  word  of  God  began  to  burn  in  colonel  Harrifs's 
heart.  When  they  finiOied,  he  arofe  and  addreiled 
the  congregation  :  *'  1  partly  promifed  the  devil,  a 
few  days  pafl,  at  the  courthoufe,  that  I  would  not 
preach  in  this  county  again  in  the  term  of  a  year. 
But  the  devil  is  a  perfidious  wretch  3  and  covenants 
with  him  are  not  to  be  kept :  and  tlierefore  I  will 
preach."  ile  preached  a  lively,  animating  fermon.. 
The  court  never  meddled  with  him  more. 

On  one  occafion,  in  Orange  county,  one  Healey 
pulled  him  down  as  he  vims  preaching;  and  dragged 
him  about,  feme  times  by  the  hair  of  the  head,  and 
fometimes  by  the  leg.  His  friends  refcued  him^ 
On  another  time,  he  was  knocked  down  by  a  rude 
feliov/,  while  he  was  preaching.  He  went  to  preach 
to  the  prifoners  once,  in  the  town  of  Hillfborougii, 


SAWUEL  IIARRISS.  38^ 

They  locked  him  in  -,  and  kept  him  there  for  feme 
time. 

Colonel  Ilarrifs  did  not  fiiffer  as  many  perfecutions 
as  fome  other  Baptifi:  preachers.  Tempered  in  Ibmc 
degree  peculiar  to  himfelf,  perhaps  his  bold,  noble, 
yet  humble  manner,  difmayed  the  ferocious  spirits 
of  the  oppofers  of  religion. 

When  he  lirft  began  to  preach,  his  foul  was  fo  ab- 
forbed  in  the  work,  that  it  was  difficult  for  him  to 
attend  to  the  duties  of  this  life.  A  man  owed  him  a 
fum  of  money,  which  he  actually  ftood  in  need  of, 
to  defray  the  expenfes  of  his  family.  He  went  to 
the  man,  and  told  him  he  would  be  very  glad  if  he 
would  difchajge  the  debt  he  owed  him.  To  which 
the  man  replied,  he  could  not  pay  him  the  money. 
Harrifs  faid,  I  want  the  money  to  buy  wheat  for  my 
family^  You  have  a  good  crop  by  you,  I  had  ra- 
ther have  wheat  than  money.  The  man  anfwered, 
*  i  have  other  ufes  for  my  wheat.'  How,  then,  faid 
Mr.  H.  do  you  intend  to  pay  me  ?  I  never  intend  to 
pay  you,  until  you  fueme,  replied  the  debtor. 

Mr.  Harrifs  left  him^  meditating:  Good  God,  faid 
ke  to  himfelf,  what  ibali  I  do  ?  IVIufl;  I  leave  preach- 
ing to  attend  to  a  lawfuit !  Perhaps  a  thoufand  fouls 
will  perifli  in  the  mean  time,  for  the  want  of  hearing 
of  Jefus.  No  !  I  will  not !  Well,  what  will  you 
do  for  yourfelf ?  What?  I  vi^ill  fuehim  atthe  court 
of  heaven. 

Having  refolved  what  to  do,  he  turned  afide  into 
a  wood ;  and  fell  upon  his  knees,  and  thus  began  his 
fuit : 

"  O  blelTed  Jefus  I  thou  eternal  God..  Thou  know- 
ert,  that  I  need  the  money  wliich  the  man  owes  me, 
to  fupplv  the  wants  of  my  family ;  but  he  will  not 
pay  me  without  a  lawfuit.  Dear  Jefus,  fliall  1  quit 
thy  caufe,  and  leave  the  fouls  of  men  to  periih  F 
Or  wilt  thou,  in  mercy,  open  fome  other  way  of  re- 
lief?". 

In  this  prayer,   Mr.  H.  fniTn'l  f  ^^'^  ^-■-^[\p,  of  di-r 


384.  BIOGRAPHY  UF 

vine  goodncfs,  that  to  life  his  ov/n  words,  *'  Jelli:; 
laid  unto  him,  Harrifs  !  keep  on  preaching,  and  1  will 
become  fecurity  for  the  payment." 

Mr.  H.  having  his  debt  thus  fecared,  thought  it 
mod  proper  to  giye  the  debtor  a  difcharge.     Accord- 
ingly he  fhortly  after,  paffing  by  to  a  U'ceting,  carri- 
ed a  receipt  in  full  to  the  man's  houfe ;  and  gave  it 
to  his  fervant,  deliring  him  to  give  it  to  his  mafter. 
On  his  return  by  the  houfe,  after  meeting,  the  man 
hiiiled  him  at  his  gate;  and  faid,  Mr.   H.  what  did 
you  mean  by  the  receipt  you  fent  this  morning  ? 
Mr.  H.  replied,  I  n-;cant  juft  a?  I  wrote. 
Well,  but  1  have  not  paid  you,  anfwered  tlie  debt*- 
or.     Harrifs  faid.  True  ;  and  I   know  alfo,  that  you    . 
faid,  you  never  would,  without  I  got  the  money  at 
the  tail  of  an  execution:    But,  Sir,  1  fucd  you  in  the; 
court  cf  heaven  ;  and  Jefus  has  agreed  to  pay  me.      X 
have  therfore  given  you  a  difcharge  ! 

This  operated  fo  effedlually  upon  the  man's  con- 
fcience,  that  in  a  /ev/  days  he  prepared  and  fent  to 
Mr.  H.  wheat  enough  to  difcharge  the  debt. 

Note,  Some  of  the  chriftian  worldlings  of  th(^„ . 
pre  fent  day,  will  hy^  Aye !  but  this  will  not  do  often. 
We  anfwer.  The  principle  is  correic,  at  all  times ; 
viz.  to  commit  our  grievances  to  our  heavenly  Fa- 
ther, and  truft  him  for  a  full  recompenfe.  How  dif- 
ferently do  thofe  brethren  ad:,  who,  for  the  mere  pelf 
of  this  v/orld,  not  only  go  to  law  with  the  wicked, 
but  with  their  own  brethren  !  And  femetimes,  in  or- 
der to  gain  their  point,  will  flrive  to  blaft  their  re- 
putation in  open  court !  For  the  honour  of  religion, 
itmuft  here  be  added,  that  thefe  things  have  feldom 
(we  wilh  we  could  fay  never)  occurred  among  the 
Baptifts. 

•  In  1787,  a  lady  once  asked  him  at  meeting,  when 
the  people  were  much  exercifed  with  weeping,  &c. 
if  he  did  not  think  there  was  more  hypocrify  than 
any  thing  elfe  in  it.  He  replied.  No !  And  drew 
aut  a  doUat,  faying,  Now,  Madam,  if  you  will  fhed 


JEREMIAH  WALKER,  385 

'ibme  of  thefe  hypocritical  tears,  1  wUl  give  you  this 
dollar.     She  could  not  produce  a  tear. 

A  criminal,  v/ho  had  been  juft  pardoned  at  the 
gallows,  once  met  him  on  the  road  and  Ihowed  him 
his  reprievci  Well,  faid  he  ;  And  have  you  iliown  it 
to  Jefus  ?  No,  Mr.  Harrifs,  I  want  you  to  do  that 
for  me.  The  old  man  immediately  defcended  from, 
his  horfe,  in  the  road  j  and  miking  the  man  alfo 
alight.  They  both  kneeled  down  jVlr.  H.  put 
ona  hand  on  the  man's  head,  and  with  the  other  held 
open  tlie  pardon.  And  thus,  in  behalf  of  the  crimi- 
nal, returned  thanks  for  his  reprieve  ;  and  prayed  for 
him  to  obtain  God's  pardon  alio. 

A  volume  might  be  filled  with  entertaining  anec- 
dotes refpedling  this  venerable  man.  Let  thefe  fuf-^ 
lice. 


JEREML\H  WALKER. 

Rev.  Jeremiah  Walker  was  born  in  Bute  county. 
North  Carolina,  about  the  year  1747.  He  polTeiled 
rare  and  Angular  talents.  When  but  a  fmall  boy, 
although  defcended  from  rather  obfcure  parentage, 
and  having  very  little  education,  he  was  remarkably 
fond  of  reading  and  improving  his  mind.  He  was 
alio  noticed,  as  a  boy  of  very  moral  and  virtuous  ha- 
bits. When  quite  young,  he  embraced  vital  religion; 
and,  being  bapti:^ed,  foon  began  to  preach  The 
few  Baptid  preachers  that  were  then  in  the  miniflry, 
were  very  illiterate.  Mr.  Walker  of  courfe  had  very 
little  chance  of  improving  his  fmall  llock  of  litera- 
ture, from  their  converfation.  The  invincible  ener- 
gies of  his  genius,  tOA^sred  above  every  obflnu'tion. 
He  quickly  flione  forth  .vith  lb  much  fplendour  as 
to  make  it  queilionable,  whether  the  obfcurity  of  his 
education,  as  well  as  the  unlearnednefs  of  his  fociety, 
did  not,  by  leaving  his  min  '  unlhackled  from  fcho- 

Y2        ^' 


386  moGRArnY  OF 

laftic  dogmas  and  from  critical  flridlures,  rather  ad- 
vance, than  impede  his  real  greatnefs  After  preach- 
ing in  his  native  neighbourhood,  and  in  Pittlylvania 
county,  Virginia,  for  fomc  few  years,  he  was  indu- 
ced by  the  new  church  called  Nottoway,  formed  in 
Amelia  county,  Virginia,  (now  Nottoway)  to  move 
down  and  take  the  pafloral  charge  of  them.  This 
took  place,  anno  1769.  Here  he  became  very  con- 
fpicuous.  Great  talents  feldom  fail  of  great  fuccefs. 
Mr.  Walker,  though  paflor  of  Nottoway  church, 
dilleminated  his  evangelical  principles  far  and  near. 
He  was  almoft  inceflantly  employed  in  preaching 
the  gospel  Jn  a  few  years,  aided  by  others,  parti- 
cularly certain  young  preachers  of  his  own  railing, 
he  planted  between  twenty  and  thirty  churches  fouth 
of  James  river.  In  thefe  were  aifo,  a  confiderable 
number  of  gifted  charaders,  who  afterwards  became 
diftinguiflied  preachers.  Ail  of  whom,  were  either 
brought  to  the  knowledge  of  truth  through  his  mi- 
niftry,  or  were  nurtured  under  his  foflering  hand  after 
they  were  brought.  '  All  who  knew  him  about  this 
time,  coincide  in  afcribing  to  him  every  thing  that  is 
defirable  in  a  minifter  of  the  gofpel.  In  talents  as  a 
preacher,  he  was  equalled  by  itw  of  any  denomina- 
tion. His  voice  was  melodious :  his  looks  were  af- 
fedlionate:  his  manner  was  impreffive  and  winning: 
his  reafoning  was  clofe  and  conclufive:  his  figures 
were  elegant,  well  chofen,  and  ftri(5tly  applicable. 
All  of  which  advantages  were  heightened  by  the 
moft  unaffedied  fimplicity.  In  private  converfation, 
he  was  uncommonly  entertaining  and  inflrucfting  to 
all;  but efpecially  to  young  preachers.  Affable  with 
all  forts  of  people,  he  was  beloved  and  admired  as  far 
as  he  was  known.  Belides  this,  he  was  conlidered 
by  all  his  acquaitances  exemplarily  pious;  and  no 
doubt  was  fo  at  that  time..  No  fpot  nor  wrinkle 
was  found  in  his  charad:er. 

i3o  diftinguifhed  a  man  among  the  defpifedJBap* 


JEREMIAH  WALKER.  387 

tlih,  could  not  long  efcape  the  notice  of  their 
opponents.  When  persecution  began  to  arife,  the 
enemies  of  the  crofs  foon  caft  thdir  eyes  upon  Je- 
remiah Walker.  Him  they  viewed  as  the  champion. 
'  If  we  can  but  filence  him,  faid  they,  the  whole  hofl 
belide,  will  hide  themfelves  in  dens  and  caverns."' 
Accordingly  Mr.  Walker  was  arrefted  in  Chefter- 
iield  county,  by  virtue  of  a  warrant  from  a  magif- 
trate  :  and  after  examination,  was  committed  to  jail. 
Mr.  Walker's  patience,  humility,  and  uniform  pru- 
dence and  piety,  while  in  prifon,  acqun-ed  tor  hiin 
the  eileem  of  ail  whofe  prejudices  would  allow  them 
to  think  favourably  of  a  BaptifL  He  kept  a  journal 
or  diary  when  confined ;  in  which  are  some  of  the 
moil  pious  and  fenlibie  reflections. 

When  Mr.  Walker  came  out  of  jail,  he  flood,  if 
poffible,  in  higher  ellimation  than  he  had  done  be- 
fore. Wherever  he  went  to  preach,  he  was  attend- 
ed by  a  large  concourfe.  And  from  his  preaching, 
the  moil  beneficial  confequences  were  conilantly 
oroduced. 

Were,  alas  !  we  couldvvillingly  drop  the  pencil, 
and  leave  the  picture  with  these  bright  colourings^ 
Our  wiflies  cannot  be  indulged.  Candour  compels 
us  to  forego  the  defire.  lake  the  inspired  histori- 
ans, v/e  muil  not  only  exhibit  the  goodnefb  and  the 
greatnefs  of  God's  people,  but  their  foibles  and  their 
follies  too  They  told  of  David's  rife  ;  they  told  of 
his  downfall  like  wife.  No  maxim  is  more  furely 
eftabli{hed  by  experience  arid  ohfervation,  than  that, 
high  delights  are  fraught  with  great  dangers.  God 
hath  fet  adverfity  over  againlt  profperity.  And  when- 
ever S  mail  in  my  chdradler  arifes  to  didingui/hed 
eminence,  he  may  look  for  fome  downfall,  uhitfs  he 
watch  his  fteps  with  a  commenfurate  vigilance. 

Mr.  Walker  had  arrived  to  a  dei.!:ree  of  diltindtion, 
far  above  any  of  his  afibciates  In  whatever  dire<^tion 
he  might  travel,  he  was  hailed  by  many  as  fither  in 
the  gofpel.     Careifed  by  his  fricndsV  admired  'by  all. 


388  iTOGRAPHY  OF 

even  by  his  enemies;  invited  to  the  focicty  of  the 
great;  very  influenzal,  ami,  mdf-ed,  all  powertul  m 
aiibciations  and  other  places  among  the  Baptiftsf 
i^till  young  and  inexperienced,  it  will  not  appear 
flange  to  an  experienced  mind,  that  this  man,  thus 
ftanding  on  a  pinnacle,  fhould  tilt  over.  ^ 

Oh  popular  applaufe  !  what  heart  of  rnaii 

If  proof  againft  thy  fwett,  feducing  charms? 

The  vviiell  and  the  beft  feel  urgent  need  , 

Df  all  their  caution,  in  thy  gentleft  gales. 

But,  fwelled  into  a  guft,  who  then,  alas  1 

With  all  his  canvals  fet,  and,  inexpert 

And  therefore  heedlefs,  can  withftand  thy  power  1 

In  every  good,  there  will  befome  evil.  Theplain^ 
familiar,  aftectionate  manners  ol  the  Baptifls  in  thole 
days,  under  luitdble  re llri Aliens,  were  furely  favour- 
able to  vital  piety.  This  habit,  however,  am.ong  the 
unlufpicious  and  incautious,  expofed  them  to  Inares  ; 
into  which  too  many  fell.  It  would  have  been  hap- 
py for  IV<r.  VV.  if  he  had  obkrvcd  fomewhat  more 
of  etiquette;  efpecially  among  females.  'J  heir  fqnd- 
nels  for  his  company,  under  the  pretence  of  religious 
afft'dion,  was  often  nothing  more  than  carnal  love 
in  difguife.  He  was  ultimately  entrapped.  In  the 
year  1774,  he  attempted  a  criminal  intrigue  vyith  a 
young  woman;  for  which  he  was  excluded:  but 
foon  again  reftored  on  account  of  his  apparently 
deep  contrition.  His  deportment  after  this,  was  fa 
correct  for  fome  years,  that  he  had  almoll  regained 
his  former  flanding.  But,  iamentable  to  relate,  about 
the  year  1784,  or  17S5,  he  fell  into  a  fimilar  trans- 
greflion;  in  which,  things  were  carried  much  farther 
than  in  the  firft.  He  was  immediately  excluded  from 
fellovvihip.  He  funk  down  into  the  utmoll:  con- 
tenipt.  His  nanie  founded  with  infamy  far  and  near* 
The  friends  of  rtligion  were  abailied  beyond  expref- 
fion;  while  their  enemies  triumphed,  as  if  the  Bap- 
tiiis  had  funk  i#verto  nle  a^ain.    In  no  ^rciat  while 


JEREMIAH   WALKER.  389 


after  this  wretched  event,  he  moved  to  Georgia;  from 
whence,  in  the  year  178b,  he  vilited  Virginia  ;  pro- 
fefied  to  be  again  reftored  to  divine  favour  3  and  pe- 
titioned the  church  from  which  he  had  been  exclu- 
ded to  reinflatehim  in  his  memberfliip.  After  fome 
in^ediments  were  removed,  he  was  received  as  a 
m*  Vber,  and  alfo  permitted  to  refume  his  minirtry. 

'f  he  fequel  of  his  life  is  an  almoft  continual  ilrug- 
gle  againlt  the  prejudices  of  both  church  and  world, 
Ihc  sword  never  departed  from  hishouse.  After  his  ref- 
toration,  his  morals  were  corr^dl::  for  in  truth,  except 
the  above  fin,  no  other  feems  to  have  been  capable, 
of  producing  a  momentary  temptation  to  his  mind. 

He  became  an  Arminian,,  after  his  downfall ;  and 
thereby  excited  among  the  Georgia  Baptifts,  no  fmall 
degree  of  contention.  Finally,  however,  they  fplit : 
Mr.  Walker,  with  a  fmall  party,  formed  a  dittinft 
fociety,  called  General  Baptifts.  The  others  were 
called  Particular  Baptifts  -,  in  alluiion  to  the  dodrinc 
of  general  and  particular  redemption,  holden  by  them. 
Juft  the  fame  in  name  and  principle,  as  the  kinds  of 
Baptifts  in  England.  In  279 1 ,  he  travelled  into  Vir- 
ginia, and  attended  thp  aflbciation  holden  by  the 
Middle  Diftridt,  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  Lunenburg. 
From  thence  he  went  to  the  General  Committee,-'' 
in  Goochland  ;  and  then  went  through  various  parts 
of  the  ftate,  leaving  his  pamphlets  and  his  verbal  ar- 
guments in  favour  of  Arminianifm,  whitherfoever  he 
went.  In  this  journey  of  Mr,  Walker,  thole  who  af- 
foclated  with  him,  found  him  ftill  the  fame  pleafant, 
fenftble,  inftrudting,  genteel  character,  that  he  had 
formerly  been. 

Alas!  alas!  that  fo  fplendid  a  garment  fliould  be 
fo  iDotted  ! 

In  hislaft  illnefs,he  endured,  with  remarkable  for- 
titude and  chriftian  refignation,  the  moft  excrucia- 
ting and  acutfefufferings.     He  died  September  20th, 

*  See  accoimt  of  that  General  Cor  jfe  81,  &:r^ 


390  l^OGRAPIiy  OF 

1792.  Rev,  Abraham  Marfliali  preached  his  funcTai 
fermon  from  Zechariah  i  ith  ch.  and  2d  ver.  *'  Howl, 
fir  tree,  for  the  cedar  is  fallen." 

Mr.  Walker  married  Mifs  Jane  Graves,  in  North 
Carolina,  when  very  young.  They  lived  together 
:n  great  harmony  tor  many  years.  After  he  went  to 
Georgia,  flie  diedj  and  he  married  a  widow  la^. 
Wijfh  whom  he  lived  alfo  in  flri(!^eft  harmony.  For, 
his  flips  to  the  contrary  notwithflandin;^,  he  was 
xceedingly  alF<;d:ionate  and  kind  in  his  family. 
Beiides  his  Epurfold,  (fee.  he  pubiiflied  many 
other  fmall  treatifcs  at  different  times.  Some  of 
which  v/ere  celebrated  for  their  clevernefs  and  in- 
genuity.     (Sec  further  account  of  him,  page  81  \ 


0 


DUTTONLANE. 

Mr.  Dutton  Lane  was  born  November  7th,  1732, 
iiear  Baltimore,  in  Maryland.  At  v/hat  time  he  be- 
came a  relident  of  Virginia,  is  not  known.  But  he 
was  baptized  by  Shubal  Stearns,  anno  1758.  He 
was  criained  to  the  miniflry,  and,  probably,  to  the 
care  of  Uan  River  church,  0(ftober  22d,  1764; 
having  commenced  public  fpeaking  immediately  af- 
ter he  was  baptized.  Mr.  J.ane  was  not  a  man  of 
much  learning;  but  having  a  ftrong  conftitution, 
a  loud  voice,  and  feivent  fpirit,  he  did  great  things 
VI  the  name  of  the  holif  child  Jcsits. 

Unenlightened  as  the  Virginians  were,  at  that 
time,  it,  was  not  to  be  cxpeded  that  he  would  be  al- 
lowed to  go  in  peace.  His  gv/n  father  was  among 
the  firft  to  fct  his  face  againfl  the  Baptifls  generally, 
and  againft  Dutton,  his  ion,  in  particular.  lie  once 
purfucd  him  with  an  inftrument  of  death,  to  kill  him, 
it  fell  out  however,  that  inflead  of  killing  his  fon,  he 
was  himlelf  llain  by  the  fword  of  the  Spirit :  from  which 
lie  foon  after  revived  with  a  hppe  of  eternal  life  j  and 


vas  baptized  by  that  very  fon  v/honi  he  had  pcriecu- 

ted. 

One  William  Cocker  had  conceived  fiich  maligni- 
ty ao-ainft  the  Baptiib,  that  he  was  accatlomed  to 
fay,  that  he  would  rather  go  to  hell  than  heaven,  if 
gomg  to  heaven  required  him  to  be  a  Baptifc.  But 
fal^g  accidentally,  where  Mr.  Lane  preached,  he 
was  ftruck  down  with  deep  convidionj  from  which, 
being  delivered  by  converting  grace,  he  became  a 
pious  Baptift.  Mr.  Lane  continued  preaching  until 
his  death :  but  the  latter  part  of  his  life  was  fome- 
v/hat  obfcured  by  his  adopting  and  maintaining  cer- 
tain ftrange  opiiuons.  By  diving  into  fubjed:s  not 
revealed,  and  rather  neglecting  thoie  which  were  ob- 
vious and  plain,  he  was  much  leis  thought  of.  He 
lived  and  died  a  pious  man,  however,  in  the  eilima- 
tion  of  thofe  who  knew  him  well. 


WILLIAM  MURPH V. 

Mr.  William  Murphy  was  among  the  earliell:  of 
the  Baptift  preachers  raifed  in  Virginia.  His  talents 
were  viewed  as  very  conliderable  for  that  period. 
He  and  his  brother  Jofeph  were  called,  by  v\^ay  of 
derilion,  Miirp/ii/'s  boi/s.  It  was  at  one  of  their 
meetings,  that  colonel  Harriss  was  brought  to  a  full 
{QnCe  of  his  danger;  as  mentioned  in  his  biography. 
William  Murphy  was  not  only  an  experimental 
preacher,  and  in  that  way,  cf  great  ufefulnefs ;  but 
when  the  difputes  about  free  will  and  free  grace,  ran 
fo  high  in  the  alibciations,  in  1775^  &c.  William 
[Murphy  was  found  among  the  ableft  disputants  in 
fupport  of  the  dodrrines  of  free  grace. 

After  continuing  his  miniftrationsiin  Virginia  anl 

North  Carolina,  for  a  good  many  y^ars,  he  then  mo- 

ed  to  the  weftern  coTintry;  and  ff^m  thenc<5,  a  few 


30^  flroGKAPHY  OF 

4 

years  fince,  Ke  pafled  over  Jordan  and  entered  the 
land  of  reft. 


JOSEPH  MURPHV. 

Mr.  Jofeph  IVIurphy,  brother  to  the  kit  mentiort- 
ed  gentleman,  and  who  also  became  a  fellow  labour- 
er with  hini  in  the  vineyard  of  Chritl,  is  ftill  living 
in  Surry  county,  North  Carolina;  and  is  about  feven- 
ty  fix  years  of  age. 

He  was  not  thought  to  poflefs  talents  equal  to  hig 
brother,  yet  was  eHee/ned  a  man  of  ftrong  natural 
parts ;  v/hich  were  wholly  negledted  until  he  turned 
religious.  Then  he  fought  for  knowledge  of  every 
fort  by  which  he  could  promote  the  caufe  of  truth. 
He  learned  enough  of  letters  to  enable  him  to  read 
and  to  preach  his  bible.  He  po/Teired  ready  wit  and 
a  bold  and  intrepid  fpirit  i  by  which  things  he  often 
foiled  his  adverfaries  without  converting  them.  As 
a  difciplinarian,  he  was  thought  judicious  and  ufeful. 
He  was  once  taken  up,  and  carried  before  a  magif- 
trate  for  preaching ;  but  he  defended  himfelf  fo  ex- 
pertly, that  the  magiftrate  bade  him  go  about  his  bu- 
iinefs.     He  is  now  refpedied  as  a  venerable  old  man. 


JiLIJAH  BAKEk. 

He  was  born  anno  1742,  in  the  county  of  Lunen- 
burg, of  honeil  and  reputable,  but  not  opulent  pa- 
rents When  grown  to  the 'ears  of  maturity  he  was 
much  addi(5ted  to  frolics  and  fport  of  all  forts.  ^Xjq-- 
ing  to  hear  Mr.  Jeremiah  Walker  preach,  he  becaine 
throughly  convinced  of  the  neceflity  of  vital  religion. 
His  volatile  difpofition,  neverthelefs  kept  him  from 
feeliin^   fdr   it.       However    refolved,    when  under 


ELIJAH  BAICF.K.  .^Qiu 

preachin^fi  alliiis  refdlutioA?  would  fill  at  the  fotind 
of  the  fiddle,  or  ths  cordial  invitatioii  of  his  pleafjnt, 
butcirnAl  compioions.  ^  He  at  lad  came  to  a  deter- 
mination to  give  his  old  companions  one  more  fro- 
lic, and  then  forfake  them  forever.  This  reroliition 
he  jkept;  and  wis  no  mo-e  to  be  foviiid:  among  th.e 
Ions  of  carnal  pleafure  H;"  liil:eaeci  now,  noi:  to  the 
rrvnlic  of  the  violin,  b  it  to  fuiylimer  -miiiic,  the 
faithful  preiching-  of  the  gofpel.-  rhus  ffi^-infT  'Jp 
the  world,  after  «nany  previous  inf:.ffefl:ual  -eitbrts, 
his  convictions  f')on  becatne.,  exceedingly  (harp  and 
pungent..  Sometimes  he  was'fo  convuii^r-d  as  not  to 
be  able  to  ftand  'deavcn  ukimarely.fm lied;  and 
Pvlr  Daker  was  conilrained  by  the  love  of  God  now 
filed  abroad  m  his  hrart,  to  make  a  profelTion  of 
grace;  and  was  baptized,  anno  1760,  by  Mr.  ^^amucl 
IJarrifs.  Illiterate  as  he  was,  he  immediately  com- 
menced public  fpeaking.  When  he  fir d;  made  a  pro- 
feiiion,  he  was  remarked  for  being  often  cad:  down 
with  doubts  refpeccing  the  reality  of  his  converfion. 
This,  by  the  bye,  did  not  hinder  him  from  making 
great  exertions,  firft  as  an  exhorter  and  finger,  and 
then  a  preacher.  Having  exhorted  about  twelve 
months,  his  firft  labours  were  laid  out,  chieHy  in  the 
county  of  his  nativity  and  the  adjacent  ones,  where 
he  was  happily  inilrumcntal  in  planting  and  wa- 
tering feveral  churches,  .^fter  about  three  years, 
he  g-ave  up  all  worldly  cares,  and  devoted  his  whole 
tiineto  preaching  ana  other  mdniPcerial  duties.  -About 
177^,  he  began  to  ilretch  his  lines,  and  to  travel 
more  extenlively.  Coming  down  into  the  lower  end 
of  iienr-ico,  he,  in  conjun  tion  with  one  or  two 
others,  planted  i:?oar  S warn p  church,  ^^'hen,  as  his 
^iy  v/ould  be  opened,  he  extended ;h is -labours  ;^a- 
•dually downwards ;  and  was  cjiief  inlf-umMt  in  plant- 
ing all  the  churches^^in-  fame  ^  itv,  ^'?iirks  <.at)* 
Yorlc,  te.  Then,  CT)  ti-v-  /\:v  \  :■  :  river  into 
Oloucefter,  preached  i  oun- 


3#4  WOGHAPnt  OF 

ty  with  conliderable  fucfefs.     There,  he  formed  be- 
(]uaintance  with  Mr.  Thomas  Elliott,  then  refident 
of  Glouceller,  but  who  had  not  long  before  moved 
from  the  Eaftern  Shore.     Mr.  Elliott,  difcoveringa 
beauty  in  religion,  felt  his  heart's  dclire  that  his  bre-. 
thren    in    the  flefli  might   be  faved.     Accordingly, 
fpring,  1776,  they  fet  fail,  and  arrived  on  the  Kaft^ 
ern  Shore  of  Virginia,  on  Fader  Sunday;  and  went 
immediately  to  church,  where  an  eflablifhed  clergy- 
man was,  that  day,  to  preach  and  adminifter  the  facra* 
ment.     After  waiting  for  feme  time,  and  fmdingth& 
minifter  did  not  ccme,  Mr.  Baker  told  the  people 
that  he  would  preach  for  them,  if  they  would  go 
down  to  the  road.     The  novelty  of  the  fcene  exci- 
ted their  attention,  and  the  people  w^nt.    Mr.  B.  had 
no  other  pulpit  than  the  end  of  a  horfmg  tree  ;  which 
having  mounted,  he  began  one  of  the  mofl  fjccefs- 
ful  minifterial  labours,  that  has  fallen  to  the  lot  of 
any  nian  in  Virginia.   Many  wondered;  fome  mock- 
ed ;  and  a  few  were   ferioufly  wrought   upon.     He 
Continued  his  miniftrations,  from  houfe  to  houfe,  for 
feveral  dj^ys.     And  when  he  left  them,  he  appointed 
to  return  again  at  Whitfuntide.     At  his  fccond  viiit, 
he  was  accompanied  b}'  his  brother  Leonard ;  v/ho 
was  at  that  time  only  an  exhorter.     When  they  ar- 
rived, they  were   informed  that  the  minifter  of  the 
parifh  had  appointed  to  preach  againft  the   Baptifts, 
and  to  prove  them  to  be  in  an  error.     Mr.  Baker 
and  his  company  went  to  hear  him.     His  arguments 
iX^ere  ineffeiftual.     The  people  followed  Baker.     He 
preached  that  night  at  a  Mrs.  Hunt's.     His  brother 
continued  with  him  about  a  v/eek.     They  had  meet- 
ing both  day  and  night.     The  effeds   were  not  re- 
markable at  firft ;  but  at  every  meeting  there  were  .. 
good  appearances.     This  encouraged  Mr.  E.  Baker 
fo  much,  that  he  r^i'  -acj'^  to  remain  there  for  fomqr 
time.     Hvi  broth'.  •     i  ■'.  hyr  'abouring  in  the  vine- 
yard.    Hu   labours  wrtC  greatly  blelied.     He  ber 
came  at  once  alm©ft  a  refident  ;  for  indeed  fiUed  as 


ELIJAH  BAKES;  39^5 

fie  was  with  increafing  follcitude  for  thje  profperity 
of  the  golpel,  he  could  not  be  found  elfewhere,  than 
-At  the  phices  where  he  had  evidences  that  God  call* 
od  him.  After  he  married,  he  fettled  in  Northamn-^ 
ton  county. 

In  doing  fo  much  good,  it  fell  to  Mr.  Baker's  por- 
tion (as  generally  happens)  to  give  offence  to  thei 
enemy  of  fouls  and  his  fuhordinate  agents.  They 
put  him  into  Accomack  prifon,  and  kept  him  there 
many  days.  The  moil  attrocious  attempt  was  that 
of  feizing  him  by  a  lawlefs  pow^er,  and  carrying  him 
on  board  of  a  veflel  in  the  adjacent  waters;  where 
they  left  him  :  having  contra<fted  with  the  captain  tQ 
make  him  work  his  pa/Tage  over  the  feas,  and  then 
leave  him  in  fome  of  the  countries  in  Europe  ;  ai- 
ledging  that  he  teas  a  disturber  of  the  peace.  Thi$ 
took  place  on  Saturday  night.  He  was  immediately 
put  to  work,  and  kept  at  it  until  late  at  night.  The 
next  day,  being  Sunday,  he  asked  and  obtained  leave 
of  the  captain  to  fing  and  pray  among  the  crew. 
The  Captain  attended ;  and  was  convinced  that  he 
was  a  good  man.  Without  delay  he  ikt  him  on 
fliore.  In  the  mean  time,  his  friends  had  defpatch- 
sd  a  meflenger  to  the  governor,  to  obtain  authority 
to  prevent  his  being  carried  forcibly  away.  This 
they  obtained;  but  Mr.  B.  was  difcharged  before 
his  return.  He  met  with  various  kinds  of  perfecu- 
tion :  v/hicli  only  ferved  to  confirm  his  faith,  anc^ 
whet  his  zeal  in  his  Redeemer's  caufe. 

Mr.  Leland,  in  a  letter  to  the  compiler,  rpake^ 
the  following  remarks  refpe(fling  this  bleflbd  man : 

*'  is  it  poiiible  for  you  to  get  the  biography  of 
Elijah  Baker?  He  began  his  career  in  Mecklenburg, 
or  near  that  place  :  was  cotemporary  with  John  Wil- 
liams and  firit  ordained  in  n  church  of  that  place :  then 
came  to  Boar  Swamp,  ..k!,  v  h  J. -'Anthony,  plant- 
ed-that  church  :  then  I  .  C\:.-  ^---.Citv,:  Jame^City^ 
and  York,  where  he  alfu   rL.  harcti^^ :  thencjp 

ihe  croiied  the  Mockjack  bav,  and  rV^i  th'-  likC;,  id  e 


30()  BIOGRAPHY  Oh 

part  of  GloucCiter,  called  Guinea :  thence  over  the 
bu)/  to  the  ;  allern  Shore  of  Virginia  and  iVlaryland, 
where  he  conihtuted  the  firft  ten  iiaptiit  churches  in 
tlioie  pnrts. 

iSe.was  a  man  of  low  parentage,  fmall  learning, 
and  confined  abilities-  But  with  one  talent,  lie  o id 
more  than  many  do  with  five,  if  jufticc  could  be 
done  his  memory,  the  v-etail  would  make  a  rich  p^'ge 
in  your  intenued  hiftory.  At  the  lajt  -^ahsbury  AfTo- 
CKition,  which  he  attended  when  nearly  worn  out 
with  difeale,  at  the  clofe  of  the  meeting  he  addreff- 
cd  the  audience  in  a  manner  as  if  heaven  and  earth 
were  coming  together  j  then,  returning  to  Mr.  Le- 
mon's, foon  died." 

He  had  declined  in  health  a  confiderablc  time  be- 
fore his  death ,  and  having  a  wjlh  tD  lee  his  brother 
Leonard,  of  Halifax,  Virginia,  to  whom  he  was  fond- 
ly attached ;  he  wrote  him  a  letter,  dated  September 
2 lit,  1798;  of  which  the  following  is  an  extrad  : 

**  — ■ And  now%  brother,  are  you  ftruggling 

through  the  trials  of  this  life,  leaning  upon  your  Be- 
loved ?  Labouring,  and  waiting  for  the  coming  of 
the  Lord  Jefus,  wdio  fhall  change  our  vile  bodies, 
and  failiion  them  according  to  his  glorious  body? 
Or  have  you  got  into  a  lukewarm  (late,  which  i  fear 
has  been  too  prevailing  amongfl  ibme! 

**  Dear  brother,  louie  of  my  complaints  are  fuch, 
that  I  cio  not  expect  to  continue  long  in  this  world: 
However,  I  leave  that  to  my  dear  Uedeemer,  who 
has  the  power  of  life  and  death  in  his  own  hands. 
But  in  all  probability,  I  (hail  never  be  able  to  come 
out  as  far  as  your  hculc  again  :  yet,  dear  brother,  I 
lliould  be  very  glad  to  fee  you,  if  you  could  rnxike  it 
convenient  to  coinepver  cnce  more,  while  I  live  I 
will  pay  all  your  e0)enfcs.  And  if  our  dear  mo- 
ther is  yet  alive,  Mc^  fend  oitt  fonse  relief  to  her. 
As  tdreligign,  thanks  be, to  (jod,  there  is  feme  little 
ilir  am.ongl^us.    J  have  blaptized  eight  lately." 

It  feeniS,  his  brother  could  not  go   immediately  ; 


I4L I J  A  H  R  A  K  i:  \x ,  367 

but  ilarted  in,  ,a  few  weeks;  and  arrived  jiift  time 
enough  to  fee  Him  die :  which  took  place,  November 
(ith,  179B.  ./-:;':^- 

.  As  he  died  at  Dodlor  Lemon's,  it  will  be  mofl 
faitable  to  quote  the  Dodor's  own  v/ords  rcfredinf^- 
him,  in  a  letter  to  the  compiler.  "  In  Mr.  Baker,  I 
foimd  the  ll-raelite  indeed,  th'e  humble  chriliian  -,  the 
preacher  of  the  gofpel  in  the  limplicity  of  it;  and  the 
triumphant  funt,  in  his  lafc  in.oments.  in  his  preach- 
ing, he  was  very. plain;  and  generally  experiaicntal : 
always  very  expvefs  on  the  doitrine  oi'  regeneration  : 
nevcF'  entering  upon  the  dod:rines  by  which  he  con- 
ceived he  ihould  give  offence  to  one  or  another,  [n 
his  iall:  illnefs,  I  attended  his  bed  nde,  dd.y  and  night, 
lor  three  weeks  :  and  had  many  moil  agreeable  con- 
verfations  with  hsm,  on  the  glorious  things  of  the 
kingdom  of  Chriii.  He  retained  his  fenies  to  the 
lad  minute  ;  and  fsemed  rather  tranilated,  than  to. 
fufter  pain  in  his  diilblution.  Death  v/as  to  him  as 
familiar  ia  his  converfatian,  as  if  he  talked  of  an  ab- 
fent  friend. from  whom  he  expected  a  viiit."* 

He  vi^as  twice  married.     His  iirll:  wife  w^as  Sarah 

Copeland ;   a    lady    of  refpedVable   connexions :    br 

V/hoin  he  had  one  fon,  now  living.     She  died  ;  and 

he  then  married  a  widow  lady,  on  the  Eailern  Shore  ^ 

who  had  no  child  by  him. 

■'■•  In  tlie  fame  letter,  the  Doclor  mentions  Mr.  Plillip  Ilufrhes  ; 
who  alfo  died  at  Tiis  houfe  ,  and  who  vvas  in  his  day  a  man  of  note^ 
in  the  miniflry,  both  on  the  Weflern  and  Eaftern  Shore  :  but  as 
his  candle  rather  went  out  in  darki-efs,  it  will  not  be  proHtable 
to  fay  much  about  him.  By  way  cf  caution  to  young  min  (ttv?, 
tiiey  may  be  informtn,  that  by  marrying  he  became  rich,  by  be- 
ing rich  he  became  proud  aud  carelefs  ;  an  Antinomian  in  prin- 
ciple, ind  int^mpei^ie  in  pra^lice.  Ills  lall:  years  wsre  a  hlo* 
w po a  hi?  ftrit .     ^•r.-'i  ii  net.  in  Gath ,  Of . . 


yOS  BIOCIlAlUi    Ul* 


JOHN  WILLIAMS'. 

fie  was  born  in  the  county  of  HanoveP;,  ttnilo  174.7, 
Tie  wavS  of  a  very  refpecfbablc  family,  and  received  a 
tolerable  education.  In  the  month  of  June,  1 769, 
when  adling  as  a  flieriif  of  Lunenburg,  he  was  awa- 
Jceoed  to  know  and  to  feel  his  fin  and  his  danger. 
He  became  a  convert ;  and  fhortly  after,  lifted  up  his 
voice  to  exhort  his  fellow  men  to  flee  from  the  wrath 
to  come,  lie  was  not  baptized  until  the  firll:  Sun- 
day in  February,  1770.  He  continued  to  exhort, 
until  fome  time  the  following  fummer;  when  he 
ventured  to  take  a  text;  and  from  that  time  com- 
menced preacher.  December,  1772,  he  was  ordain- 
ed to  the  miniiby,  and  took  the  care  of  Meherriii 
church.  His  gifts,  at  iirft,  were  far  from  being  auf- 
picious.  Many  pronounced  that  he  would  never  be 
a  peiacher:  fo  delufory  are  the  jirft  eiforts  of  the 
mind. 

fie  not  only  fucceeded  in  becoming  a  preacher, 
but  in  becoming  a  firfl  rate  preacher,  at  leall:,  in  the 
eflimation  of  moll  of  his  acquaintances. 

He  was  exceedin;^  fond  of  readini^r  and  writinq; :  and 
indeed  was  generally  Itudioiis :  by  which  means,  he 
greatly  improved  his  mind. 

When  hefirft  commenced  preacher,  he  was  zeal- 
ous, active,  and  laborious  in  the  miniilry  ;  travellint^ 
.and  propagating  the  gofpel  in  different  parts.  He 
may  well  be  numbered  amonc;  the  fathers  in  Ifraei. 
His  talent,  however,  was  not  employed  fo  much  ii: 
breaking  down  the  bars  of  prejudice  in  new  and  un- 
enlightened places,  as  in  direding  and  regulating  the 
youDg  converts  when  gathered  by  others.  Pleafing> 
affable,  and  refined  in  his  manners,  he  had  a  hand  to 
fmoql|iiP'  fome  of  thofe  protuberances  left  by  rough- 
er workmen.  In  alibciations  he  was  expert  with  hi^ 
pen,  asfewell  as  v/ije  to  offer  counfel,  Ele  adteda^s 
clerk  t»  the  Gener&l  AfiociatioQ  >  and  wncn  th&y  ijJv- 


jfc^iii;  WILLIAMS.  ^yo 

V'ided  the  afiociation  into  diftricls,  a  unanimous  vote 
pf  thanks  was  offered  Mr.  W.  for  his  faithiul  and 
skilful  fervices  as  ckrk  of  the  affociation.  He  alfo 
Uil'chsrged  the  duties  of  clerk  to  the  Roanoke  AlTocia- 
tion  until  a  little  time  previous  to  his  death.  He  in- 
troduced feveral  excellent  regulations  botli  into  the 
General  and  Roanoke  Aflbciations,  for  the  govern- 
ment of  churches,  6cc.  Fev/  men  underftood  cliiirch 
difcipline  better,  or  were  more  fuccefsful  in  building 
up  large  refpecflable  churches  wherever  he  attended. 
For  many  years  he  adued  as  pailor  to  four  churches, 
whom  he  atteiiddd  monthly.  He  v/as  in  hi^h  eRi- 
mation  both  as  a  man  and  a  minifter.  Even  the  ene- 
mies *of  the  Baptiils,  would  often  except  Mr.  \V. 
from  their  reproaches.  In  his  temper  towards  thofe 
of  other  religious  perfuafions,  he  was  remarkably  li- 
beral. Indeed,  by  fome  of  his  acquaintances  it  is  faid, 
that  he  was  friendly  to  open  communion  ;  but  that 
he  was  retrained  from  putting  it  into  practice,  by 
his  tendernefs  for  his  brethren  ;  moil  of  Vv  horn  differed 
from  him  on  this  head.  This  liberality  of  fpirit  did 
not  prevent  him  from  maintaining  liis  own  principles 
with  great  firmnefs,  whenever  an  occalion  offered. 
It  was  fuch  an  occalion  as  this,  which  drew  fortk 
his  reply  to  Mr.  Patilloe's^fermon  on  infant  baptiim. 
He  committed  his  arguments  to  writing,  with  an 
intention  of  printing  them  in  the  form  of  a  pam- 
phlet ;  but  as  nothing  came  out  on  the  other 
Mde,  and  as  fo  much  had  been  already  publiflied  oa 
fliat  fubjedt,  it  was  not  put  to  the  prefs. 

In  his  preface  he  makes  the  following  remark  : 
**  1  hope  1  have  fufficiently  demon ftrated  to  nvf 
countrymen,  for  a  feries  of  years,  that  I  am  not  over- 
bearing on  others,  or  bigoted  to  my  own  principles 
which  are  not  effential  to  falvation;  but  have  uni- 
formly endeavoured  to  promote  a  catholic  fpirit,  with 
peace  and  concord,  in  the  Ifrael  of  God.  But  ne- 
v«rthelc£s  I  am  fet  for  the  defence  of  the  gofpel  j 

*  A  celebrated  Preabvtcriafl  Pfeticher, 


4J}U  IJieCilAiniY   oi 

and  as  fuch,  circumflances  often  occur,  that  invohin- 
tviiily  lead  me  forth  to  contend  for  the  fi:i!:li  and  or- 
der of  Ch  rill's  church." 

He  was  generaliy  upon  the  hell:  ternfis  with  the 
Presbyterians;  who  were  pretty ;  numerous  in  his 
neighbourhood. 

His  talents,  if  not  e(]ua1to  any,  were  certainly  very 
little  inferior  to  thofe  of  the  iirit  {^radc. 

His  appearance  in  the  pulpit  v/as  noble  and  ma- 
Jeftic,  yet  humble  and  affec>ionate.  In  the  begin- 
ning  of  his  difco.urfes,  he  was  dodlrihai  andlbmewbar 
nietliodical  :  often,  ver/^scp,  even  to  the  aftoni/h- 
mentof  his  hearers.  Towards  the  clofe,  VAid  indeed, 
fo'p.ctimes  tliroughout  iiis  fermon,  he  was  exceeding- 
ly animating,  liis  exhortations  were  often  incon>- 
parable.  At  an  early  period,  ii£  became  very  cor^ 
pulent.  At  an  aiTociation,  in  the  year  1 793  he  accii- 
dentally  fell  by  the  turning  of  a  ftep,  as  he  was  pall- 
ing out  of  a  door,  and  became,  for  .a  year  or  two,  a 
crippie ;  being  under  the  necetiky  of  going  on 
crutches.  jNotwithllanding  this,  he  would  ftiJl  go 
in  a  carriage  to  the  meetings,  and  preach  fitting  in  a 
chair  in  the  pulpit.  Duruig  feveral  of  the  laft  years 
of  his  life,  he  was  afPiiifted  with  a  very  painful  dif- 
.  cafe.  Under  his  fevcre  fufrering,  he  was  not  only 
•  patient,  but,  when  he  could  have  any  mitigation  of 
his  pain,  he  w^  alfo  cheerful.  About  ten  days  be- 
fore his  death,  he  was  attacked  by  a  pleurify ;  from 
wliich,  no  medicine  could  give  him  relief.  His 
wo'k  was  findhcd ;  a^d  his  Mafler  had  called  for 
him.  On  the  30th  day  of  April,  1795,  he  fell 
afleep. 

Nothing  very  rymarkable  tranfpired  at  his  death: 
He.was  penlive  and  filent.  i'cXold  his  wife,  that 
to  live  or  die  v/as  to  him  indilterent :  he  had  commit- 
ted this  to  God,  who,  he  knew,  would  do  right.  Hp 
faid  he  felt  fome  anxiety  for  his  numerous  family ; 
but  that  thefe  alfo,  hs  was  willihg  to  truft  in  the 
iiands  of  a  gracicus  Prcvid'^iice. 


JAMEf5  READ,  4.01 

.Taaiiary,  1768,  he  WiS  -narriei  to  Mifs  Frances 
Hashes,  of  pDWhatari  coa  ity ;  by  whom  he  had 
fourteen  children;  of  who  n,  eleven  were  livin'^,  at 
the  titne  of  his  death  :  and  of  tiiefe,  four  profeired  re- 
ligion, and  were  baptized. 


JAMES  READ. 

So  'macli  has  already  been  faid  of  Mr.  Read,  in 
our  account  of  the  firll:  rife  of  the  Baptifts  in  Spot- 
fyh/<^nia,  5cc.  that  we  may  now  be  much  (liorter. 
He  v/a**'  born  about  the  year  1725  or  1726.  His  fa- 
ther lived  fro:n  the  time  Mr.  R.  was  about  feven. 
years  old,  on  the  Shenandoih  river.  He  had  early 
and  awful  alar  ns  about  eter  lal  things,  when  nothing 
more  than  a  boy  He  fays,  that  when  bound  an  ap- 
prentice he  would  often  call  upon  God,  on  particular 
emergencies ;  and  that  he  often  had  the  moft  mani- 
feft  a»fwers  to  his  prayers.  Once  he  ftates,  that 
having  permiiTion  from  his  mafter  to  go  and  fee  his 
parents,  he  caine  to  a  creek  fo  much  fwelled  that  he 
could  not  pafs.  He'mg  much  diftrefled  he  fell  up- 
on his  knees  and  prayed  to  God  to  help  him  over. 
After  a  little  time,  a  horfe  that  was  feeding  near  at 
hand,  adiually  came  to  where  he  was  ;  believing  him 
to  be  fent  of  Providence,  he  mounted  him  without 
fiddle  or  bridle.  He  carried  him  over;  and  then  dif- 
mounting,  the  horfe  immediately  returned.  Fhefe 
anfwers  of  prayer  increafed  his  religious  impreflions, 
fo  that  to  many  he  appeared  to  be  running  into  me- 
lancholy. 

ft  was  not  until  he  had  commenced  a  man  of 
family,  and  had,  in  a  great  meafure,  ihaken  ofF 
his  ferious  thoughts,  that  he  met  with  the  ISfev/- 
li  rhts  as  the/  vvere  called  in  North  '"aroliua,  to 
which  place  he  had  moved  about  tne  fame  tmie  that 

AS 


'402  BfOG;RA!>Hy  01# 

Stearns  and  his  party  came.     Under  Mr*  Marfliall's 
preaching,  he  was  firft  wrought  upon  according  to 
the  gofpel  plan.     After  feme  Itruggles  againft  it,  he 
finally  became  a  Baptift  :   probably  as  early  as  1756 
or  I    57.     VV^hen  he  iirft  profeffcd,  he  could  neither 
read  nor  write.    He  immediately  began  to  learn,  his 
wife  being  his  inltrudlor.    Of  his  fubfequent  labours 
and  ufefulnefs,  and  alfo  his  downfall,  fee  a  full  ac- 
count, page  9,  &c.      After  his  excommunication,  in 
Spottfylvania  he  went  on  home,  cilled  Grafly  Creek 
church  together,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  made 
confeflion  of  nis  guilt  and  profeiTed  repentance,  a  ma- 
jority were  willing  to  excufe  him  ;  but  doing  every 
thing  by  unanimity,  they  called  for  helps.    I  ot  giv- 
ing fatisfa<flion,  his  excommunication  was  confirmed. 
This  took  place,  Nov.  21, 1770.  He  made  no  attempt 
for  reiteration  until  the  next  July  ;  when  he  was  re- 
jed:edj  the  church  not  thinking  his  repentance  evan- 
gelical.     His  next  attempt  was  July,  1772  :  he  was 
again  reje6ted  ;  and  for  the  same  reafon.      On  the  7th 
of  September,  the  church  calling  for  helps,  he  was 
reltored  to  memberfliip ;  and  in   November,  he  was 
reftored  to  the  free  exercife  of  his  miniftry.     We 
have  detailed  the  particulars  more  ai  large,  becaufe 
Mr.  Read  was  certainly  a  diflinguifhed  preacher  in 
the  firfl  rife  of  religion,  and  like  wife  to  ihow  how 
cautioufly  they  adled  in  thofe  days.* 

He  was  never  as  ufeful  after  his  refloration.  He 
however,  continued  to  pre-ch  ;  and  was  eftcemed 
bymofl  of  his  acquaintances,  a  fincere  chriftian,  and 
as  a  father  in  the  gofpel ;  although  he  had  fhameful- 
ly,  though  for  a  fliort  time,  departed  from  the  right 
way.  He  tells  us  in  his  manufcript,  that  about  1791, 
he  was  ilirred  up  of  God,  to  travel  through  the 
churches  in  Virginia,  and  to  endeavour  to  encouage 
them  to  zeal  and  perfeverance.  Though  infirm  in 
body  he  made  the  attempt.     He  fays  he  was  kindly 

*  This  account  is  taken  from  Grafiy  Creek  church  book. 


JOHN  WALLER.  4»0i> 

and  rerpe(5lfully  received  by  the  brethren  wherever 
he  went  j  "^nd  that  his  labours  were  blefled  to  the 
deiired  end. 

For  about  thirty  years  before  his  death,  he  ufed  to 
fay,  that  he  had  a  prefentiment  of  his  death,  and  that 
it  would  not  take  place  until  he  was  feventy  two. 
And  after  that,  he  ihouid  look  for  death  every  day. 
From  want  of  education,  he  did  not  not  know  the 
precife  year  when  that  would  happen,  but  faid  it  was 
one  of  2  years.  Accordingly,  in  the  year  1798,  which 
v/as  about  the  time  expeded,  he  finiihed  his  courfe. 
His  death  was  glorious  indeed.  He  de  .lared,  not 
only  a  willingnefs,  but  an  anxiety  to  dep  'rt  and  to 
be  with  Chritl.  His  laft  words  were,  (turning  to  a 
friend  ila  ,ding  by),  "  do  you  not  fee  the  angels  wait^- 
ing  to  convey  my  foul  to  glory?" 

!  ie  hved  and  died  a  poor  man,  having  generally  a 
large  family. 


JOHN  VMLLER. 

No  charac^ter  has  as  yet  paffed  before  us,  more 
worthy  of  notice  than  the  prefent. 

He  was  born,  December  23d,  1741,  in  Spotfylva- 
nia  county  ;  v^^as  a  delcendant  of  the  honourable  fami- 
ly of  W,;llers  in  England  c<t  a  very  early  period,  he 
manifcfted  a  great  talent  for  fatyricai  vv^it.  This 
determined  his  uncle,  who  had  the  direction  of  his 
education,  to  bring  him  up  for  the  law.  Me  was  put  to 
a  grammar  fchool  ;  and  made  an  encouraging  ad- 
vancement in  the  dead  languages.  His  uncle  s  death, 
and  his  father's  narrow  refources,  added  to  his  own 
unbridled  inclinations  to  vice,  prevented  him  from 
finifhing  even  his  clallical  education.  He  now  began 
indeed  to  ftudy,  not  the  laws  of  the  land,  but  thofe 
of  the  gaming  table.  Letting  hiinielf  loofe  to  every 
fpecies  of  wickcdnefs  and  profanity,  he  quickly  ac- 
q^uired  forhimfelf  the  infamous  appellation  off  Swear:*' 


4d4  BIOGRAPHY  OP 

i7ig  Jack  Waller  :  by  which  he  was  diflinguifhed  from 
others  of  the  fame  nan.-e  So  far  did  he  ii.ouige  his 
iTiilchievcus  temper,  that  he  once  had  three  warrants 
ferved  on  him  at  the  lame  tmie,  on  account  ot  one 
uproar.  It  was  frequently  renjarked  by  the  com- 
n-cn  people,  "  that  there  could  be  no  deviltry  among 
the  people,  unlefs  bweanng  Jack  was  at  the  head  of 
it."  He  was  lometuTies  called,  the  DtviVs  adjutant 
to  mufler  his  troops.  To  thefe,  may  be  added,  his 
fury  againft  the  Baptifts.  He  was  one  of  the  grand- 
jury  who  prefented  L.  Craig  for  preaching.  This 
happily  terminated  in  his  good.  Craig,  in  order  to 
turn  their  milchievous  intentions  into  fomething  be- 
neficial, watched  the  difmilTion  of  the  grandjury  -,  and 
in  order  to  gam  their  attention,  more  certainly, 
bought  them  a  mug  ot  grog.  After  he  had  gotten  them 
together,  he  began,  **  1  thank  you,  gentlemen  of  the 
grandjury,  for  the  honour  you  have  done  me.  While 
1  was  wicked  and  injurious,  you  took  no  notice  of 
me  ;  but  fince  I  have  altered  my  courfe  of  life,  and 
endeavoured  to  reform  my  neigbours,  you  ccntern 
yourlelves  much  about  me.  1  have  gotten  this  m.ug^ 
of  grog,  to  treat  you  with ;  and  (hall  take  the  fpoiling 
of  my  goods  joyfully."  When  Mr.  W.  heard  him 
fpeak  in  that  manner,  and  obferved  the  meeknefs  of 
his  Ipirit,  he  was  convinced  that  (  raig  was  poffefled 
of  fomething  that  he  had  never  feen  in  man  before. 
He  thought  within  himieif,  that  he  Ihould  be  happy 
if  he  could  be  of  the  fame  religion  with  Mr  Craig. 
Fromi  this  time,  he  began  to  attend  their  meetings. 
And  was  found  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  con^mand- 
ment  came  and  he  died.  He  faw  and  felt  himiftlf  a 
finner.  He  now,  for  the  firil  time,  except  in  blaf- 
nheming,  began  to  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

*  Mr.  Craig  was  remarkably  pious  and  zealous  ;  availing  him- 
felt  of  every  opportunity  to  incuJcate  the  gofpel  of  C  hvift.  He 
knew  the  giog  was  the  nioft  certain  way  to  comuand  the  atten- 
tirn  of  tht  grandjury,  to  whon>  he  defirtd  to  oflera  lecture.  *'Be 
l^  wife  3s  ferpcnts  and  harmlefs  as  doves." 


JOHN  WALLER.  405 

His  convidions  were  deep  and  pungent.  He  ate  no 
pleafant  bread  and  drank  no  plealant  water,  for  ievcn 
or  eii^ht  months.  He  was  almoll  in  defpair.  He 
relates  his  exercifes  in  the  following  words  : 

''  1  had  long  felt  the  greateft  abhorrence  of  my~ 
felf ;  and  began  almoft  to  defpair  of  the  mercy  of 
God.     However,  I  determined  in  my  own  foul,  ne- 
ver to  reft  from  feeking,  until  it  pleafed  God  tofliow 
mercy  or  cut  me  oiF.      Under  thefe  jmpreffions,  i 
was  at  a  certain  place,  fitting  under  preaching.     (  ^n 
a  fudden,  a  man  exclaimed,  that  he  found  grace  ; 
and  began  to  praife  God.     No  mortal  can  dclcribe 
the  horror  with  which  I  was  feized  at  that  initant.    I 
began  to  conclude  my  damnation  was  certain.    Leav- 
ing  the  meeting,  1  hafted  into  a  neighbouring  wood, 
and  dropped   on   m.y  knees   before  God,  to  beg  for 
mercy.     In  an   inftant,    I  felt  my  heart  melt,  and  a 
fweet  application  of  the  Redeemer's  love  to  my  poor 
foul.     The  calm  was  great  -,  but  fhort," 

From  this  tmie,  he  felt  fom.e  increafe  of  ftrength; 
yet  at  fome  times,  he  felt  the  enemy  break  in  upon 
him  like  a  flood ;  and  he  would  be  almoft  ready  lo 
give  up  his  hope.  But  the  application  of  tliefe 
words  gave  him  great  comlort :  "  Who  is  among. 
you  th.tfeareth  the  lord;  th.  twalketh  in  darkncls 
and  hath  no  light ;  let  him  truft  in  the  name  Oi  the 
Lord,  anc  ftay  upon  his  God."  ilaiah  50.  10.  And 
again  :  **  By  this  we  know  that  we  have  paired 
from  death  unto  life,  becaufe  we  love  the  brethren." 

By  the  time  MefTrs.  Harrifs  and  Read  came  on 
their  next  tour,  he  felt  lufiicientiy  confident  to  be- 
come a  candidate  for  baptifm  ;  and  going  up  into 
Orange  county,  was  there  baptized  by  Mr.  Read, 
fome  time  in  the  year  1767.  Baptifm  was  to  him, 
as  it  has  been  to  thousands,  a  fandified  ordinance. 
His  foul  received  great  accefijon  of  ftrength  and 
comfort.  Chrift  was  reveaUd  in  him  Having 
contracted  debts  by  diliipation,  he  fold  property  to 
pay  them.     He  cunleired  not  vvith  fiefii  and  blood; 


46§  wo OR A PHY  Of 

but  began  to  preach,  that  men  ought  every  where  to 
repent,  it  was  not  long  before  his  labours  became 
eficdtual,  at  ieaft,  in  one  way.  That  arch  enemy  of 
fouls,  whom«,he  had  ferved  lo  faithtully  before,  now 
began  to  roar  in  hideous  peals  againit  him.  He  suc- 
ceeded in  raifing  up  a  powerful  oppofi'ion.* 

At  length,  it  was  tliought  proper  to  conftitute  a 
church,  in  Ur.  Waller's  neighbourhood  ;  who  ma- 
king choice  of  him  as  paflor,  he  was  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  minifcry,  June  20th,  1770.  He  now 
beg-in  to  lengthen  his  cords.  Bending  his  courfe 
downwards,  he  baptized  Kev.  William  Webber,  be- 
ing the  firfl  he  did  baptize.  Odober,  1770,  ac- 
companied by  J.  Burrus,  he  travelled  down  as  fur  as 
Middlefex,  (fee  the  account,  page  13).  Wherever 
he  went,  he  was  attended  by  a  divine  power  j  turn- 
ing many  to  righteousnefs.  His  name  founded  far 
and  wide.  By  the  ungodly,  he  was  confidered  as  a 
bold,  inexorable  fanatic,  that  would  do  much  mif- 
chief  unlefs  reftrained.  The  j^aptifls  and  their  ad- 
herents looked  upon  him  as  fet  for  the  defence  of 
their  caufe;  and  with  much  confidence  rallied  around 
him,  as  their  leader.  His  perlecutions  and  imprifon- 
ment  in  Caroline,  in  Middlefex,  in  Ellex,  &c.  have 
been  already  mentioned  in  our  General  H[i{lory. 

In  this  bright  and  burning  way.  Waller  continued 
until  J775ori776i  when,  he  formed  an  acquaint- 
ance with  one  Williams,  a  preacher  of  fomiC  talents^ 
apparent  piety,  and  in  >Jr.  Weiley's  connexion,  con- 
fequently  an  Armiiiian  :  this  man,  by  his  converfati- 
on  and  books,  so  wrought  upon  Mr.  Waller's  mind, 
as  to  bring  him  over  to  believe  the  Arminian  fyftem. 
Knowing  this  to  be  contrary  to  the  opinions  of  his 
brethren,  he  refolved  to  make  a  bold  etfort  to  preach 
and  argue  his  principles  at  the  next  affociation  ;  and 
thereby  convince  his  brethren  5  or  failing  in  this,  to 

*  See  a  full  account  of  hia  perfpcutioijs,  in  our  GcnCi-al  Hi0o.- 
rVj  page  15,  and  eifewl:crc. 


JOHN   WALLI-.R.  407 

Hibmlt  to  be  cut  off  from  them.  Accordingly,  he 
took  his  text,  i  Cor.  13.  i\.  In  his  exordium,  he 
flated,  that  when  young  and  inexperienced  in  religi- 
on, he  had  fallen  in  with  the  CalvinilHc  plan;  but 
that  becoming  more  expert  in  doilrine,  or  in  tlie 
language  of  hjs  text,  when  he  became  a  man,  he  put 
away  thefe  chiidilh  notions.  He  then  went  length- 
ily into  the  argument.  For  want  of  truth,  or  for 
want  of  talents,  he  made  few,  if  any  converts  to. his 
opinions ;  and  of  courl'e,  had  to  confront  the  whole 
hofl  of  preachers  and  members  now  affembied.  Mr.- 
Waller,  forefeeing  his  fate,  took  the  fhorter  and  more 
reputable  courfe.  Inflead  of  awaiting  a  fair  trial, 
he  proclaimed  himfelf  an  independent  Baptiil:  preach- 
er. This  flep  was  probably  reforted  to  by  Waller, 
under  an  exped:ation  that  his  popularity  was  fo  great, 
that  he  fliould  be  able  to  bring  over  many  of  the 
churches  to  his  party.  Be  it  as  it  may,  he  immedi- 
ately commenced  his  operations  on  anextenlive  plan. 
On  his  return  from  the  affociation,  he  ufed  his  utmoH: 
endeavour  to  form  a  ftrong  party.  He  preached 
from  houfe  to  houfe;  fpread  his  wings  over  a  large 
field  of  miniOerial  labour ;  ordained  lay  elders  in  eve- 
ry neighbourhood,  to  prevent  inroads  ;  and  also  feve- 
Fal  helps  in  the  miniifry.  He  alfo  eftabliflied  vv'hat 
he  called  camp  meetings  ;  in  which,  they  continued 
together  feverai  days,  under  certain  written  regula- 
tions, of  which  the  following  is  an  extract. 

Camp'  Meeting  Begulations, 

I.  No  female,  on  any  account  whatever,  fhall  be 
permitted  to  Itiy  in  the  camp,  later  than  an  hour  by 
lun  at  night  ;  nor  appear  in  the  camp,  earlier  thaii 
an  hour  by  fun  in  the  morning 

II.  The  perfons  in  the  c  mp,  fliall  dcr^^nd  G^r  fuf- 
$enance,  daring  tht  camp  meeting,  on  ih-z  friendly 
hofpitality  ot  the  neiofhbourhood. 

III.  Any  perfon  in  camp,  wakmg  at  any  period  of 


408  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

the  night,  may  pray  or  fing,  without  difturbing  the 
llLimbers  of  others. 

The  novelty  of  thefe  meetings,  excited  the  atten- 
tion of  the  people  in  fuch  a  manner,  that  great  mul- 
titudes crouded  after  him. 

By  thefe  means,  his  party  gained  ftrength  daily. 
Few  men  poilelTed  greater  talents  for  heading  a  party 
of  this  defcription,  than  Mr.  Waller.  The  only 
thing  in  which  he  was  deficient,  was,  that  he  could 
not  be  happy  while  feparated  from  his  brethren. 
He  ufed  to  fa\,  that  in  the  midft  of  apparent  prof- 
perity  and  the  carefTes  of  his  friends,  he  flill  yearned 
after  the  people  of  God  from  whom  he  had  witdrawn. 
Some  years  after  his  reftoration,  he  faid  to  a  young 
preacher  who  was  difTatisfied,  and  talked  of  diflent- 
ing,  "  If  you  could  have  adiftant  view  of  my  fuffer- 
ing  and  leannefs  of  foul,  while  a  diflenter  from  my 
brethren,  you  would  never  again  indulge  fuch  a 
thought  '*  He  was  again  fully  reinftated  m  connex- 
ion with  his  brethren,  in  1787;  when  a  full  union  be- 
tween Separates,  Regulars,  and  Independents,  was 
accompliflied.* 

A  very  great  revival  commenced  under  Mr.  Wal- 
ler's miniftry,  in  '787.  This  continued  for  feveral 
years ;  and  fpread  through  all  his  places  of  preach- 
ing In  this  revival  he  was  greatly  engaged  j  and 
baptized  ^rom  firfl  to  laft,  many  hundred.  Early  in 
this  revival,  Mr.  A.  Waller,  fon  of  his  brother  Ben- 
jamin, was  brought  in;  and  in  fome  few  years  began 
to  preach.  Mr.  Waller  immediately  recognized  him 
as  his  fuccefTor ;  and  declared  that  he  believed  his 
work  in  that  part  of  the  earth  was  finished  Accord- 
ingly, November  8th,  1793,  after  taking  the  moft 
aiFciftionate  farewell  of  the  churches,  he  moved  his 

*  A  partial  reftoration  had  taken  place  fome  years  before  this; 
30  that  Mr.  Waller  and  his  party  met  in  aflbciation,  with  the 
Separate  Baptifte. 


.JOilN   WALLEP.,  409 

family  to  Abbeville,  in  the  ilate  of  South  Carolina* 
This  removal  was  faid  to  have  arifen,  partly  from  ^ 
economical  con  fi  derations,  and  partly  from  a  ftrong 
deiireon  his  own,  and  on  the  part  of  his  v/ife,  to  live- 
near  a  beloved  daughter;  who  had  fome  time  previ- 
oufly,  married  Rev.  Abraham  Marfhall,  of  Georgia. 
Perhaps  there  might  be  other  caufes.  His  laboursv 
in  his  new  refidence,  were  alfo  blefTcd;  but  not  to  a 
great  extent.  He  remained,  however,  faithful  in 
the  caufe,  until  his  death  j  which  took  place,  Jul/ 
the  4th,  1802. 

His  death  was,  as  might  be  hoped  and  expe6led^ 
truly  glorious.  His  eldell  fon  defcribes  it,  in  the  fol-- 
lowing  words : 

"  His  conflid  v/ith  death,  as  it  refpe<f:ied  bodil)-^ 
affliction,  was  truly  hard;  but  his  foul  appeared  to 
be  happy  indeed!  Never  did  I  v/itnefs  fucha  relig- 
nation  and  chridian  fortitude  before!  He  was  re- 
duced to  a  perfed:  fkeleton ;  and,  in  feveral  places, 
the  fkin  was  rubbed  off  his  bones.  His  pains  ap- 
peared to  be  excruciating;  but  no  murmur  was  heard 
from  his  lips.  On  the  contrary,  he  would  often  fay, 
•^  I  have  a  good  Mafter  ;  who  does  not  give  me  one 
ftroke  too  hard,  or  one  too  many.' 

"  The  laft  fermon  he  preached,  was  on  the  death  of 
a  young  man.  The  text  on  which  he  preached, 
was  Zechariah  2.  4.  *  Run  fpeak  to  this  young 
man.'  He  addreffed  himfelf  chiefly  to  youth;  in 
feeble,  but  animating  drains :  obferving  that  he  count- 
ed UDon  its  bein^  the  laft  fermon  he  fliould  ever 
preach ;  and  fervently  prayed,  that,  Sampfon  like, 
he  might  Hay  more  at  his  death  than  he  had  done  in 
his  life.  He  continued  fpeaking  until  his  ftrength 
failed  him.  And  with  reeling  fteps,  he  advanced  to 
a  bed;  where  Vv^e  thought  he  would  have  expired. 
From  thence  he  was  removed  home  in  a  carriage, 
for  the  laft  time.  He  faid,  as  to  his  foul,  he  v/an 
p.^derno concern;  as  he  had  given  it  to  J,efus  lonr- 

B3 


41W  UrOGRAi»JlY  OP 

iince :  and  he  was  under  no  doubt  but  what  his 
IVlafter  would  provide  a  manfion  for  it  Juft  before 
his  departure,  he  fummoned  all  his  family  around 
him,  black  and  white ;  and  told  them,  he  was  anxi- 
ous to  be  gone  and  to  be  prefent  with  C'hrift  :  and 
then  warned  them  to  walk  in  the  fear  of  (iod  ;  cor- 
dially fhook  hands  with  all  ;  and  loon  after,  with  a 
pleafant  countenance,  breathed  his  laft  and  fell  afleep 
in  Jefus."  1  looked  on  the  corpfe,  with  thefe  words 
frefh  in  my  mind  : 

"  O  lovely  appearance  of  death." 

•Thus  this  great  i^an  of  God,  conquered  the  lafl 
enemy  and  afcended  to  that  rest,  that  remainetli  for 
the  people  of  God.  He  died  in  the  fixty  fecond 
year  of  his  age ;  having  been  a  minifter  of  God's 
word  for  about  thirty  five  years :  having  in  that  time, 
lain  in  four  ditt'erent  jails,  for  the  fpace  of  one  hun- 
dred and  thirteen  days,  in  all;  befides  buftetingSj  ftripes, 
reproaches,  6cc.  Nor  was  his  labour  in  vain  in  the 
Lord.  While  in  Virginia,  he  baptized  more  than 
two  thoufand  perfons  3  affifted  in  the  ordination  of 
twenty  {even  minifters ;  and  helped  to  conftitute 
eighteen  churches.  For  many  years,  he  had  the 
minifterial  care  of  five  churches  -,  to  whom  he  preach- 
ed ftatedly. 

Asa  preacher,  his  talents  in  the  pulpit,  were  not 
above  mediocrity  3  but  he  was  certainly  a  man  of 
very  ftrong  mind.  His  talents  for  art  and  intrigue, 
v/ere  equalled  by  few.  This  he  exercifed  fome- 
times,  as  it  was  thought,  beyond  the  innocence  of  the 
dove.  He  was  perhaps  too  emulous  to  carry  his  fa- 
vourite points  ;  elpecially  in  alTociations.  Yet  it 
muft  be  owned,  that  fuch  influence  as  he  acquired 
in  this  way,  he  always  endeavoured  to  turn  to  the 
glory  of  God, 

^  He  had  been  married  to  Jvlifs  E,  Curtis,  previous 
t6  hia  becoming  religious,     py  her  he  had  a  number 


JAItlES   CIIILQfi.  411 

of  chiHren  ;  fome  of  whom  the  old  man  had  the  hap- 
pinefs  to  fee  profefs  the  fame  faith  with  himfelf. 


JAMES  CHILES. 

In  every  generation,  there  will  be  fome  odd  and 
eccentric  religious  men  ;  who,  like  Sampfon  and  Jo- 
nah, do  much  good,  with  a  conliderable  mixture  of 
evil.  Mr.  Chiles  is  an  inftance  of  this  fort  of  men. 
Before  he  embraced  religion,  having  a  flurdy  fet  of 
limxbs  and  a  refolute  spirit,  he  often  employed  them 
in  bruiling  his  countrymen's  faces.  He  was  likewife 
a  gambler.  Rut  (lod,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  pluck- 
ed him  as  a  brand  from  the  burning.  Ho^^-ever 
converted  in  things  of  greater  confequence,  he  was 
never  converted  from  his  oddnefs.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  iirfl:  Separate  Baptift  church  no  h  of 
James  river.  He  was  remarkably  fond  of  vili'  ns : 
by  which  he  pretended  to  be  taught  of  God  how 
every  matter  was  to  eventuate.  It  happened,  how- 
ever, like  the  Trojan  prophetefs,  if  he  had  the  gift 
of  prophecy,  his  cotemporaries  had  not  the  gift  of 
faith.  So  that  it  availed  him  nothing.  His  weak- 
ness in  this  particular,  if  it  was  a  weaknefs,  w^as  hap- 
pily more  than  countervailed  by  his  Zealand  his-fuc- 
cefs  in  the  miniR-ry.  He  was  the  firft  inftrument  of 
planting  the  gofpel  upon  Bluerun.  He  alfo  broke 
the  way  mto  Albemarle  ;  where  many  were  convert- 
ed under  his  miniflry.  In  various  other  places,  God 
fet  feals  to  his  miniftry.  After  a  few  years,  he  mo- 
ved to  South  Carolina  :  where  he  planted  a  large 
church.  He  retained  his  notions  about  vifions,  to 
his  laft  day.  Report  fays,  that  after  meeting  with 
misfortunes,  and  being  reduced  in  his  property  and 
health,  he  went  to  the  houfe  of  a  woman,  arid  told 
her,  that  his  God  faid,  he  mud  die  there  that  day. 
She  faid,  I   hope  not,  Mr.  Chile?.      Yes,  faid   hf  ^ 


41':i  DlOGEArilY  Of 

my  God  lays  fo:  but,  however,  I  will  return  a 
while,  andconfultmy  God  again! 

He  returned;  and,  returning  faid.  Yes,  Madam,- 
my  God  fays  I  muft  die  to-day. 

The  woman  again  expreffed  doubts.  She  faid. 
You  look  too  well,  Mr.  Chiles,  to  die  fo  foon. 

He  faid,  I  will  try  my  God  once  more.  After  re- 
tiring for  lome  time,  in  prayer,  he  came  back,  and 
faid.  It  is  fixed  ;  the  decree  is  irrevocable :  to-day  I 
muftdie  in  your  houfe.  Having  fo  faid,  he  ftretch- 
Gd  himfelf  upon  the  bed,  and  yielded  up  the  gholl:.- 


JOHN  PICKET. 

Mr.  Picket  was  born  in  King  George  county, 
January  14th,  1744,  of  refpedlable  parentage.  He 
had,  when  grown  to  the  years  of  maturity,  a  very 
flrong  propenfity  to  gaming  and  fports  of  every  kind. 
JHe  followed  the  buhnefs  of  a  dancing  mailer;  and 
probably  with  a  view  to  get  bufmefs  in  that  line,  as 
well  as  to  indulge  his  propenfity  for  fport,  he  went 
off  about  the  year  1764  or  1765,  to  Pee  Dee,  in 
JNorth  Carolina.  God  intended  this  tour  for  a  very 
different  purpofe.  While  there,  befell  in  at  one  of 
the  meetings  of  Jofiah  Murphy,  one  of  the  earliefl: 
Baptiff  preachers  in  thofe  parts.  Murphy  fpoke  a 
word  in  leafon  to  this  prodigal.  He  came  to  himself. 
He  began  to  loathe  the  now  worse  than  hufky  fports 
and  plcafures  to  which  he  had  been  devoted.  He 
went  to  his  father,  and  v/as  feaffed  with  the  fatted  calf, 
and  clothed  with  the  befh  robe.  He  was  baptized  by 
J.  Murphy,  anno  1766.  So  foon  as  he  felt  the 
fmiles  of  his  heavenly  Father,  he  wrote  to  his  earth- 
ly parents,  in  Fauquier ;  informing  them  of  this  mar- 
vellous change.  They  were  fwallowed  up  v/ith  af- 
Conifhment.     'Jo   them,  it  v/as  flrange  indeed,  ihut 


iOIIN  PICKET,  4 14, 

this  their  fon  that  they  thought  was  loil,  fiiould  be- 
come fo  fervently  pious  ;  while  their  other  ions,  that 
they  had  always  with  them,  continued  to  be  thp 
fame.  This  letter  produced  fome  alarm  in  the  fa- 
mily ;  and  fome  good  efFedts.  Mr.  Picket  continued 
in  North  Carolina,  for  fome  time  j  being  unwilling 
to  leave  the  fociety  of  thofe  to  whom  he  was  united 
by  ties  ftronger  than  death.  He  did  not  return  to 
Fauquier  until  after  the  death  of  his  father,  in  1 767.. 
When  he  came,  fmdino:  his  friends  and  nci:^hbours 
overfhadowed  v/ith  ip:nQrance,  he  bei/-an  to  warn 
them,  com.mencing  firil  with  private  con verfition  and 
exhortation,  then  to  hold  family  v/orihip.  Then  to 
have  little  meetings,  and  addrefs  them  by  v/ay  q£ 
exhortation.  Thofe  exertions  being  crowned  v/ith 
fuccefs ;  many  being  convi(fted  and  fome  converted^ 
he  took  texts  and  commenced  preacher.  Mr.  Picket 
then  procured  a  viiit  from  Mr.  Murphy,  who  came 
to  Fauquier  and  baptized  a  few.  The  work  fpread 
far  and  near.  Mr.  Picket  being  fervent  in  fpirit,  and 
thus  encouraged,  held  not  his  peace,  day  nor  night,; 
but  proclaimed  boldly  the  things  of  God.  In  the 
fall  of  1768,  MefTrs.  Harrifs  andRead  came  and  bap- 
tized thirty  {even  more  ;  and  conflituted  them  into 
a  church,  November  12th,  1768,  under  the  name  of 
Carter's  Run.  Mr.  Picket  was  ordained,  and  took 
the  care  of  this  church.  May  27th,  1772.^-'  His 
zeal  and  ad:ivity  could  not  pafs  unnoticed  by  the  ene- 
mies of  the  crofs.  The  mob  broke  into  the  meet- 
ing houfe  and  iplit  to  pieces  the  pulpit  and  table; 
while  the  m.agiilrates  ifibed  their  v/arrant  and  feiz- 
ing  Mr.  Picket  thruil  him  into  Fauquier  prison. 
There  he  continued  for  about  three  months  preaching; 
through  the  grates,  and  admonifhing  as  many  as  came 

*  We  have  a  manufcript  from  the  Carter's  Pvun  church,  and 
another  from  Mr.  Leland,  taken  when  he  Jived  in  Virginia,  iind, 
probably  from  the  hp§  of  iV'Jr.  Picket  ;  v/hich  fpecifies  the  ex;i6^t 
date  of  thcfe  occurrences.  We  have,  ihcrefoiC,  Kilo-.vcd  'v,'r. 
L-'s  manuscriotj  as  to  date.-. 


414  BIOGr.JI'IIY  OF 

to  him,  to  repent  and  turn  to  God.  The  word  of 
God  was  "001  bound.  Great  numbers  were  awaken- 
ed under  ..his  prifon  labours.  This  imprifonment 
took  place  about  1760.  When  he  was  turned  out  of 
prifon,  he  feemcd  to  increafe  in  zeal;  and  extending 
jiis  labours  round  about  in  Gulpe'per,  and  over  the 
Blue  ridge,  where  be  was  fo  succefsful,  that,  on  the 
iiril  baptizing  thiU  was  suppofed  ever  to  have  taken 
in  Shenandoah,  as  many  as  tifty  were  baptized.  1-^e 
was  never  wearied  in  welldoing  ;  buttontmued  iled- 
iaft  to  the  end.  We  will  now  clofe  our  account  of 
jnm,  in  the  words  of  the  mannfcript  furnifhed  by 
one  of  the  members  of  his  own  church  : 

**I]cilood  found  in  faith,  calling  on  fmners  to  re- 
pent; not  fparing  his  own,  but  gave  his  labours  to 
the  Lord  and  to  bis  ftllow  men;  and  went  on  with 
zeal  and  courage.  Towards  his  latter  days,  his  zeal 
for  the  good  oi'  fouls  fcemed  to  increafe.  Infirmity- 
appeared  to  urge  on  him,  attended  with  deafnefs. 
About  June,  1803,  he  told  his  wife  that  his  work 
was  finiflied  ;  tenderly  beleeching  her  and  his  chil- 
dren, to  ferve  tlie  Lord.     And  fo  fell  aflecp." 

Well  might  the  unrighteous^  but  enlightened 
prophet,  wifh  to  die  the  death  of  the  righteous. 


ELIJAH  CRAIG. 

IvFr.  Craig  was  one  cf  the  firft  converts  to  the 
Daptiil:  preaching.  Fie  had  been  awakened  through 
the  preaching  of  elder  David  'J'homas,  previous  to 
176^;  and  at  thjft  time,  viz.  January,  1765,  Mr. 
Alien  Myley  procured  the  attendance  of  elder  Samuel 
IJarrifs,  by  travelling  to  h'ittsylvania.  When  IVIr. 
Harrifs  came  and  pi-cached  an  experience  of  grace, 
he  found  his  heart  could  teltify  to  the  truth  of  it;; 
having  fometime  previoufly  experienced  a  change, 
v-rliich  he  had  net  view^cJ  as  converiion,  but  only  the 


ELIJAH  COAIC.  41:r- 

encouragement  of  heaven  to  go  on  to  feek.  lie  was 
now  (o  ftrj^ngthed,  that,  in  conjunction  with  cer- 
tain young  converts  in  his  neighbourhood,  who 
were  of  the  Regular  Baptiiis,  he  undertook  to  ex- 
hort, &ic  and  to  hold  little  meeting,^  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood. His  tobacco  houfc  was  their  chapel. 
Being  moll  of  them  labouring  men,  they  ufed  to  la- 
bour all  day,  and  hold  meetings,  almoit  every  night, 
at  each  other's  houfes,  and  on  Sundays,  at  tlie  above 
mentioned  tobacco  houfe.  By  thefe  little  prayer 
and  exhortation  meetings,  great  numbers  were  av/a~ 
kened,  and  feveral  converted.  For  farther  account 
fee  page  8  and  9« 

Mr.  Craig  was  conilitued  into  the  fivii  Separate 
Kaptift  church  in  thofe  parts,  viz  Upper  Spotfyl- 
vania ;  and  was  afterv/ards  taken  olf  with  the  conlH- 
tution  of  Bluerun,  to  which  he  was  confecrated  paf- 
tor.  He  was  certainly  a  great  ble(Hng  to  Bluerun 
church  :  for  under  his  care  they  ficuriihed  He  v/as 
accounted  a  preacher  of  coniiderable  talents  for  that 
day  ;  v/hich,  united  to  his  zeal,  honoured  him  with 
the  attention  of  his  perfecutors.  .  They  lent  the  Ihe- 
liff  and  pofle  after  him,  when  at  his  plough.  He 
was  taken  and  carried  before  three  magiilrates  of 
Culpeper.  They,  without  hearing  arguments  oro  cr 
eon,  ordered  him  to  jail.  At  court,  he,  with  others, 
wasaraigned.  One  of  the  lawyers  told  the  court, 
they  had  better  difchargc  thein  ;  for  that  oppreiling 
them,  would  rather  advance,  than  retard  them.  He 
faid,  that  they  were  like  a  bed  of  camomile  ;  the 
more  they  were  trod,  the  more  they  v/ould  fpread. 
The  court  thought  otherwife,  and  determined  to  im- 
prifon  them.  Some  of  the  court  were  of  opinion 
that  they  ought  to  he  confined  in  a  dole  dungeon  : 
but  the  majority  v/ere  for  giving  them  the  bound?. 
?vlr.  Craig  f\ys  they  were  fed  on"rye  bread  and  water, 
to  the  injury  of  thejr  hc'-l^'i  After  Ihiying  there 
one  month,  preaching  id  all  who"  can ic*,  he  gave 
bond  for  good  hth"'\^':"-  ■"'•  .^  ':'-*"".•"  ?Mt.     He  was 


41  C«  BiecRAniY  OF 

aifo  confined  in  Orange  jail,  at  another  time.  He 
was  a  preacher  of  ufefuhiefs  for  many  years  after  he 
commenced ;  but  finally  falling  too  much  into  fpe-^ 
culations,  his  mifiiilry  was  greatly  hindered.  In 
1786,  he  moved  to  Kentucky  ;  where  continuing  his 
fpeculations,  he  became  obnoxious  to  the  church ; 
^nd  was  excommunicated,  anno  1791.  How  long 
he  flayed  out,  is  not  known.  Ije  was,  however, 
reftored  ;  and  continued  in  the  church  until  the  year 
3808  ;  when  he  died. 

He  was  naturally  of  a  ccnforious  temper;  and  a]-» 
ways  feemed  better  pleafed  to  find  out  the  faults  than 
the  virtues  of  mankind.  This,  however,  fo  long  as 
he  was  warm  in  religion,  was  checked  by  a  fuperiof 
principle;  but  after  he  declined  in  his  religious  exer- 
cifes  and  became  a  fpeculator,  he  could  feldom  be 
pleafed.  As  good  a  proof  as  any  that  could  be  na- 
med, of  this  peevifh  temper,  may  be  gathered  from 
two  pamphlets,  his  only  writings  that  have  evef 
reached  us.  In  the  one,  lie  undertakes  to  prove  that 
ilationed  preachers  or  pafcors  of  churches,  are  pre- 
cluded, by  the  fcriptures,  from  receiving  any  corn- 
pen  fation  for  their  fer vices.  In  this  pamphlet,  he 
takes  fo  many  opportunities  to  condemn  preachers, 
for  being  money  fcekers,  that  it  would  feem  the 
main  delign  of  the  publication  was  to  indulge  a  fault- 
finding temper.  His  other  pamphlet  was  a  perfonal 
philippic  againfi:  Jacob  Creath,  on  account  of  fomc 
private  difpute  between  Creath  and  a  Mr.  Lewis;. 
who  is  faid  to  be  very  refped:able.  Without  know- 
ing anything  as  to  the  merits  of  the  cafe  or  the  pro- 
vocation given  by  Mr.  Creath ;  candour  compels  us 
to  fay,  that  no  provocation  can  juflify  the  flyle  of 
this  pamphlet.  It  is  written  with  a  pen  dipt  in  poi- 
{on.  The  Baptirts  are  a  free  people  ;  and  every  one 
fays  and  does  that  v/hich  feemeth  right  in  his  owa 
eyes,  l^ut  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  prefent,  nor  any 
other  generation  will  ever  witnefs  another  publica- 
tion wf itten  in  the  flyle  or  temper  of  the  above  para 


LEWIS  LUNSFOHD.  417, 

pMet ;  and  that,  too,  by  one  Baptiil  preacher  againil 
another. 


LEWIS  LUNSFORD. 

We  now  come  to  the  man,  who,  in  point  of  talents^ 
as  a  preacher,  was  never  exceiled  in  \  irginia  ;  and 
by  m-my  it  is  doubted  whether  he  ever  had  a  fupe- 
rior  a  ly  where  eh^e. 

Mr.  Lunsford  was  born  in  Stafford  county,  Vir- 
ginia, of  indigent  parents.  He  received  a  very  flender 
education  indeed  ;  nor  h  id  he  the  means  to  eniar-ge  it. 
The' God  of  naturfe  furnilhed  him  with  powers  to 
furmount  all  obilacles.  To  obviate  the  want  of  edu- 
cation, he  ufed  after  working  all  day,  to  read  till  late 
at  night,  by  firelight.  At  an  eariy  if  age  of  iiis  life, 
while  attending  the  minillry  of  v^'iliiam  Friftoe,  he 
was  happily  arrefled  by  divine  mercy.  Mr.  Friftoe 
baptized  him  when  a  boy.  He  immediately,  both 
in  private  and  in  public,  began  to  ftand  up  as  an  ad- 
vocate for  the  gofpel  His  talents,  at  this  tender 
age,  commanded  attention,  and  procured  for  him  the 
flattering  appellation  of  Tlie  fFouderiid  Boy.  After 
moving  in  a  more  confined  circle  for  forie  few  years, 
Jie  began  to  enlarge  his  borders,  '^bout  177"^,  di- 
vine Providence  direded  his  attention  to  the  lower 
counties ;  in  the  Northern  Neck.  Wherever  he 
placed  his  foot  as  a  preacher,  there  attended  a  blefs- 
ing.  Believers  were  added  to  the  church,  through 
his  infirumentality,  in  moft  of  the  neighbourhoods  of 
thtk  lower  counties.  Mis  preaching  made  a  great 
noife  ;  not  only  for  its  ingenuity,  but  for  its  novelty. 
Here,  as  in  moil:  other  places  where  the  13aptiil:s 
preached,  they  crurd  out  that  fome  new  dodrine  was 
flarted  ;  that  the  church  vvas  in  danger.  Mr.  L.  was 
accounted  worthy  to  fhare  a  part  of  this  oppofition. 
A  clergyman  appointed  a  fet  day  to  preach  againft 

C3 


418  BlOORAPilY  OF 

the  Anabaptifts.  Crowds  attended  to  hear  him.  He 
told  ftories  about  Jack  of  Leyden,  and  Cromwell's 
roundheads ;  bat  he  could  not  by  fuch  tales,  flop  the 
golpel  current,  now  fwelling  to  a  torrent.  When 
Mr.  L.  preached  again  in  the  fame  parts,  they  at- 
tacked him  by  more  weighty  arguments.  A  confta- 
ble  was  fent  with  a  warrant  to  arrell  him.  The  con- 
flable,  with  more  politenefs  than  is  ufualonfuchoc- 
cafions,  waited  until  Mr.  Lunsford  had  preached. 
Kis  fascinating  powers  palfied  the  conrtable's  hand. 
He  would  not,  he  faid,  ferve  a  warrant  on  fo  good  a  man . 
J\nother  man  took  it,  and  went,  tremblingly,  and 
fervedit.  Mr.  Lunsford  attended  the  fummons,  and 
appeared  before  a  magillrate.  He  was  held  in  a  re- 
cognizance to  appear  at  court.  The  court  deter- 
mined, that  he  had  been  guilty  of  a  breach  of  good 
behaviour ;  and  that  he  muft  give  fecurity,  or  go  to 
prifon.  He  was  advifed  to  give  fecurity  ;  under  the 
expeiftation  of  obtaining  licenfe  to  preach  He  tried; 
but  could  not.  He  often  regretted  that  he  had  taken 
this  ftep  ;  and  was  forry  he  had  not  gone  to  prifon. 
'I'his  took  place  in  Richmond  county. 

After  the  repeal  of  the  law  for  eflabliihing  one 
fed:  to  the  exclufion  of  the  reft,  a  banditti  attended 
Mr.  Lunsford's  meeting,  with  flicks  and  ftaves,  to 
attack  him.  Juft  as  he  was  about  to  begin  to  preach, 
they  approached  him  for  the  attack.  His  irreligious 
'friends,  contrary  to  his  wish,  drew  flakes  out  of  a 
fence  to  defend  him.  This  produced  a  great  up- 
roar and  fome  skirmiihes.  Mr.  Lunsford  retired  to 
a  houfe.  The  perfecutors  purfued  him.  He  Ihut 
himlelf  up  ;  and  they  were  not  hardy  enough  to 
break  in  to  him.  One  of  them  defired  to  have  the 
privilege  of  convCrfmg  with  Mr.  L.  with  a  view  of 
convincing  him.  He  was  let  in  ;  and  did  converfe. 
When  lie  came  out,  he  wore  a  new  face.  His  party 
asked  him  the  refult.  You  had  better  converfe  with 
him  yourfelvcs,  faid  he. 

It  was  not  until  January,  I778,  that  Mr.  Lunsford 
b/'-came  a  fettkd  prci-chcr,  and  took  the  care  of  Mo* 


Li: WIS  LUNSFORD.  419 

xatico  Ghurch,  coiiilitated  at  that  time.  He  held  it 
as  an  opinion,  that  impoiition  of  hands  by  a  presby- 
tery, was  not  iieceflary  to  ordination  ;  but  that  the 
call  of  a  church  was  fuiiicient-  It  was  in  this  way 
he  tooi^  the  care  of  Moratico  church.  He  never 
would  fubmit  to  be  ordained  by  the  impofition  of 
hands  ;  although  the  refufal  produced  no  Imall  dis- 
content among  the  Baptifcs  ;  as'  may  be  feen  in  our 
account  of  the  General  Committee  and  AfTociations. 
In  1779,  he  married  his  firll  wife  ;  and  became  a  re- 
fideni:  of  Northumberland.  From  the  time  he  fet- 
led  in  the  Northern  Neck,  and,  indeed,  from  the 
time  he  began  to  preach  therCp  he  gradually  increaf- 
£d  in  favour  v^^ith  the  people.  It  is  hardly  probable 
thai  any  man  ever  was  more  beloved  by  a  people 
when  living,  or  more  lamented  when  dead.  He  had 
two  remarkable  revivals  of  religion  in  the  bounds  of 
his  church,  l^he  ,one,  about  the  time  of  the  conili- 
tution  of  the  church,  and  the  other  commenced  in  the 
year  178 H  ;  ,and  had  fcarcely  fubhded  at  his  death  in 
1793.  During  thele  revivals,  he  was  uncomnxoniy 
lively  and  engaged.  He  preached  almoft  inceifant- 
ly  :  and  by  bis  acquaintances,  after  the  laft  revival,  it 
was  thought  that  he  made  a  rapid  advance  in  the  im- 
provement of  his  talents, both  in  v/ifdom  and  vvarnith; 
efpecially  the  latter,  from  wdiich  he  never  receded, 
during  his  relidence  on  earth.  Certain  it  i:-,  that 
during  feveral  of  the  laft  years  of  his  lite,  be  was  more 
careffed,  and  his  preaching  more  valued,  thin  any 
other  man's  that  ever  reiided  in  Virginia.  Lunsford 
was  a  fure  preacher,  lie  feldom  failed  to  rife  pret- 
ty high.  In  his  befl:  ftraiiis,  he  was  more  like  an  an- 
gel than  a  man  His  countenance,  lighted' up  by  an 
inward  flame,  feemed  to  flied  beams  of  lieht  where- 
ever  he  turned.  His  voice,  always  harmionious, 
now  feemed  to  be  tuned  by  defcending  feraphs.  His 
fl:yle  and  his  manner  so  sublime  and  lo  energetic, 
that  he  feemed  indeed  like  an  am.bafTadcr  of  the 
skies,  sent  down  to  com.mandaU  meij  every  where'to 


420  BIOGRAPHY  OP 

repent.  He  was  truly  a  meirenger  of  peace  ;  and  by 
hitii  the  tiJi,;  ^s  or  peace  'vere  co.nmunicited  to  mul- 
titLides.  •'o  highly  was  he  eltirnated  among  hiso'.vii  J 
people,  that  rhere  were  but  few  preachers  that  vilit- 
ed  them,  to  whom  they  would  willingly  iiiten,  even 
for  once,  in  p-eference  to  their  beloved  pallor.  He 
was  alio  clever  in  converfation  -,  having  a  conliderable 
fhare  of  wit ;  which  in  his  cheerful  moments  he 
would  ufe  in  an  innocent,  but  entertaining  manner. 
In  argument,  he  inclined  fomewhat  to  be  fatyrical : 
and  by  this  means,  fometimes  gave  offence  to  thofe 
who  did  not  know  him  well.  It  was,  however,  per-i 
fedtly  clear,  that  he  xiid  not  deiign  to  fport  with  the 
feelings  of  any.  For  it  is  not  likely  that  any  man  of 
his  popularity,  ever  had  fewer  permanent  enemies. 
He  was  very  fond  of  reading  j  and  retained  what  he 
read  fo  correcftlv,  that  few  men  could  make  more  ex- 
tenfive  quotations  than  Mr.  Lunsford  For  his  own 
advantage,  he  had  procured  and  read  fome  diitin- 
guiflied  treatifes  on  medicine.  He  alfo  kept  family 
medicine.  So  capacious  were  his  faculties  that 
with  thefe  fmall  opportunities,  he  ad:uaily  became  fo 
skilful  in  the  adminiftration  of  phyiic,  that  he  was 
often  called  on  to  attend  patients  at  a  conliderable 
dillance.  To  all  fuch  applicants,  he  not  only  render- 
ed his  fcrvices  gratis,  but  often  furmflied  meoicine. 
He  had  the  care  of  a  large  aud  opulent  church,  of 
whom  fome  were  very  liberal  in  their  contributions: 
by  a  great  part  of  them  he  was  too  much  neglecfled. 
For  tlie  want  of  this  and  of  his  own  attention  to  his 
fecular  affairs  (through  his  miniftry)  he  was  in  but 
narrow  circumlhmces.  Yet,  he  lived  well;  and  ren- 
dered to  every  man  his  jufl  dues.  But  now,  painful 
as  the  task  is,  we  muii  add,  that  Lunsford  died. 
This  great,  this  good,  this  aimoft  inimitable  man, 
died,  when  only  about  forty  years  ot  age.  He  lived 
in  a  fickly  climate,  and  had  frequent  bilious  attacks,. 
Thefe  were  fometimes  very  levere.  F"or  two  or 
three  years  before  his  death,  he  laboured  under  re- 


LEWIS   LDNSFORD,  421 

pleated  Indifpofitions,  even  when  travelling  about. 
His  manly  foul  would  never  permit  him  to  flirink 
from  the  work,  f  >  long  as  he  had  frrength  to  lift  up 
his  voice.  Sometimes,  after  going  to  bed  as  bring  too 
ill  to  preach,  prompted  by  his  feraphic  fpirit,  he  would 
rife  again,  after  foms  other  perfon  hid  preached, 
and  deal  out  the  bread  of  life  to  the  hungry  fons  and 
daughters  of  Zion. 

He  was  a  iliepherd  indeed.  The  Dover  Afibcia- 
tion,  for  the  ycnr  1793,  v/as  holden  at  GiebelanJing 
meetnig  houfe  in  Middlelex  county.  I'his  was  near- 
ly oppolite  to  Mr.  Lunsford,  and,  the  river  excepted, 
probably  not  more  than  fifteen  or  eighteen  miles  from 
hih  ho^fe.  Although  jufl  niing  from  a  bilious  at- 
tack, he  would  not  (tay  from  a  place  where  his 
heart  delighted  to  be,  and  where  he  had  the  befl 
ground  to  believe  he  could  do  good.  He  went ;  and 
appeared  fo  much  better,  that  he  made  cxteniive  ap- 
pointments to  preach  in  the  lower  parts  of  Virginia. 
He  was  choien  to  preach  on  -.undiiy ;  and  he  did 
preach  indeed.  On  Tuefday  he  came  up  to  King 
and  Qjjeen,  and  preached  at  Hruington  meeting 
houfe,  from  thele  words :  Theielore  ht  us  not  .skep, 
m  (io  olhers,  but  let  us  watch  and  be  sober.  It  was 
an  awakening  difcourie,  worthy  of  this  mailerly 
workman.  On  that  day,  he  took  cold  and  grew 
worfe.  He  however  preached  his  laft  fermon  the 
next  day  evening :  Obferving  when  he  began  "  it 
may  be  improper  for  m^e  to  attempt  to  preach  at  this 
time  j  hut,  as  long  as  1  have  any  ibength  remaining, 
I  wi(h  to  preach  the  gofpel  of  Chrilt;  and  1  Vvili 
very  gladly  fpend  and  be  fpent  for  you.  He  then 
preacheu  his  laft  lermon  from:  "  Iherefne,  beinv; 
jnitijied  bij  faitliy  ziPt  Imve  peace  witJi  God,  througli 
our  Lord  J  ejus  Christ."  He  continued  to  grow 
worfe,  until,  having  arrived  at  Mr.  Gregory's  in 
E'fi'ex,  he  took  his  bed,  from  Vvhence  he  was  carried 
to  the  g  ave.  .  !  n  his  licknef«,  he  was  remarkably 
■fiient;  Having   very  iittie    to  fiy,   which  he   could 


■iS^  lilOGRAl'flY  OF 

avoid.  lie  was  fond  of  joining  in  prayer;  and 
fometimes  exerted  his  now  relaxed  mind,  in  making 
rf;marks  worthy  of  fiich  a  man.  He  exprelled  fome 
anxiety,  at  the  thought  of  leaving  his  helplefs  family; 
but  appeared  quite  religned  for  the  will  of  heaven 
to  take  place.  On  the  26th  of  Odober,  1793,  lie 
fell  aileep  in  the  arms  of  Jefus,  aged  about  forty 
3^ears.  Rev.  Henry  Toler  preached  two  funeral 
fermons  for  him.  One  at  the  place  of  his  death,  a~ 
notherat  Mr.  Lunsford  s  meeting  houfe,  in  Lancafler 
county,  called  Kilmarnock.  Thefe  two  fermons  were 
printed  in  a  pamphlet :  and,  annexed  to  them,  were 
two  handfome  elegies,  written  by  ladies  of  his 
church.*  It  ieemed  to  be  a  myftery  to  many^  why 
God  iliould  have  called  home,  fo  great,  fo  ufeful  a 
man  in  the  bloom  of  life.  Thofe  who  thought  pro- 
per to  offer  reafons  or  conjedtures  for  explainuig  th^ 
ways  of  Providence,  feemed  generally  to  agree,  that 
IVIr.  Lunsford's  popularity  as  a  preacher  had  rifen 
too  high.  The  people,  wherever  he  was  or  where 
he  was  expeiled,  feemed  to  have  loll  all  relilh  for  any 
other  man's  preaching:  That,  God  knowing  the 
capacity  of  mod  of  his  fervants,  was  unwilling  that 
the  lelfer  lights  fhouldbe  fomuch  fwallowed  up  by 
the  greater.  Perhaps  the  better  way  is  to  form  no 
conjediure  about  it  ;  but  rcfl  perfuaded,  that  the  ways 
;f  God  are  always  wife ;  howiever  unaccountable  to 
man . 

He  was  twice  married.  He  had  by  his  fird  wife 
one  furviving  child.  By  hijj  fecond  wife,  he  left 
three  children. 


WILLIAM  WEBBER. 

Mr.  Webber  is  alfo  one  of  the  fathers  in  Ifrael. 
He  was  born,  Auguil:  15th,  1747,  of  parents  in  the 
middle  line  of  life.     His  education  was  but  lleader  ; 

*  Another  w.is  uTitten  bv  Rev.  A.  Sioaddus,  which  wns  much  admirec}. 


Wlh'LlAtl  WEBBER,  423 

having  been  sent  to  fchool  only  thre-e  years.  At  iixr 
tQen  years  of  age,  he  was  put  apprentice  to  a  houle- 
joiner.  After  he  had  ferved  his  time  out,  he  con- 
tiuued  to'work  at  his  trade,  until  God  called  hitn  to 
be  a  workman  for  him.  In  October,  1769,  he  went 
to  hear  the  Baptifts  preach.  He  was  awakened  ta 
know  his  danger  :  and  his  fpirit  took  no  reft  from 
that  time  until  about  fix  months  after,  he  obtained 
a  hope  of  falvation  ;  and  was  baptized,  June  1770, 
by  elder  John  Waller,  then  juft  ordained.  He  had, 
as  was  ufual  about  that  time,  exercifed  a  gift  in  ex- 
hortation, previous  to  his  being  baptized.  Of  his 
further  progrefs,  his  ordination,  &c.  fee  the  account 
in  the  General  History,  and,  aifo,  of  Dover  church. 
Few  men  in  Virginia,  fu&red  more  persecutions, 
than  William  Webber,  He  was  iirft  feized  in  Chef- 
teriield  county,  December  7th,  1770,  and  imprifoned 
in  that  county  jail  until  March  7th,  1771 3  juft  three 
months.  In  Auguft,  the  fame  year,  he  was  taken 
off  the  ftage,  ia  Middiefex  county,  and  put  into  pri- 
son ;  where  he  was  confined  forty  five  days  ;  having 
the  bounds  a  part  of  the.  time.  In  both  thefe  prifons, 
he  and  his  fellow  fufferers  ufed  to  preach  through 
the  grates,  regularly  twice  a  week,  to  fuch  as  v/ould 
come  to  hear.  Befides  thefe  imprifonments,  he  was 
often  very  roughly  treated,  by  the  fons  of  Belial,  at 
different  places  All  of  which,  this  man  of  God  bore, 
with  chriftian  patience  and  meeknefs.  Although  he 
was  in  narrow  circumftaaices,  he  ufed  when  young, 
to  devote  a  great  deal  of  his  time  to  preaching :  and 
being  much  refpedted  and  beloved,  he  was  an  inftru- 
ment  of  doing  a  vaft  deal  of  good.  As  he  grew  old- 
er, and  his  tamily  larger,  he  found  it  neceffary  to 
limit  his  labours  chiefly  to  his  own  and  the  adjacent 
jieighbourhoods.  He  was  itill  very  fuccefsfui  in 
turning  many  to  righteoulneis ;  and  in  confirming  the 
fouls  of  the  difciples.  Mr.  V/ebber.was  a  man  of 
talents,  though  not  in  the  pulpit:  there  he  v/as  hard- 
Tv  un  to.  mediocritv.     Be  was  ?.  man  of  fof.md  'Rnd 


424.  BTOCnAPHY  OF 

Corre^T:  judgment ;  well  acquainted  witli  mankind; 
well  verfed  in  the  fcriptu-es;  ioand  in  the  principles 
of  t*~sQ  .gofpel,  and  ingenious  in  defending  them 
againlt  error.  As  a  companion,  he  was  remarkably- 
agreeable:  he  was  lively,  pleafant,  and  cheerful 
yet  without  levity.  His  converfation  was  chief- 
ly upon  the  fubjefl  of  religion:  to  which,  he  had  a 
turn  f  )r  directing  the  attention  of  his  company,  with- 
out permitting  it  to  be  irkfome.  In  his  church,  he 
was  greatly  beloved  by  !his  members,  and  all  who 
knew  him.  He  was  remarkably  plain,  both  in  his 
drefs  and  manners.  His  chief  excellency,  however, 
was  in  aflociations  and  public  bodies.  He  was  made 
moderator  of  the  General  Afibciation,  as  early  as  the 
year  1778.  And  although  there  were  many  older 
minifters  than  himfelf,  for  feveral  years  after,  yet 
lie  feldom  attended  an  alTociation  or  General  Com- 
mittee but  he  was  placed  in  the  chair.  His  addrefs, 
either  in  the  chair  or  out  of  it,  was  far  from  being  ac- 
compliOied.  But,  ftill,  he  was  preferred  before  men 
of  far  more  refined  powers;  on  account  of  his  foft, 
yet  manly,  affed:ionate,  and  unaffeded  method.  It 
is  likely,  that  lefs  atfedation  was  never  in  any  man 
than  in  ^Villiam  Webber.  You  always  faw  him  in 
his  true  colours.  About  the  year  1799,  he  had  a 
fevere  and  long  spell  of  ficknefs,  which  had  well 
near  brought  him  to  his  grave.  He  did,  however, 
recover;  but  his  conftitution  was  fo  fhaken,  that  he 
was  never  as  healthy  afterwards.  He  failed  to  at- 
tend the  Dover  AfTociation,  1807,  being  then  ill. 
He  recovered  fo  far  as  to  go  out  fome  fmall  diftance 
from  home ;  but  relapiing,  he  lingered  for  fome 
months  ;  and  then  29th  day  of  February  1 808  he  yield- 
ed to  the  king  of  terrors,  but  who  had  loft  his  terror, 
as  to  him.  In  his  laR  illnefs  he  enjoyed  great,  very 
great  religious  confolation.  Elder  Watkins  of  Pow- 
hatan vifited  him  fome  little  time  betbre  his  death. 
In  his  converfation  he  faid  to  him  with  many  tears. 
**  jBrother  Watkins,  I  never  had  fo  glorious  a  mani- 


JAMES  IRELAND*  4.-25 

feftatlon  of  the  love  of  God  in  all  my  life  as  T  have 
had  iincc  my  ficknefs.     O  !  the  love  of  God." 


SIMEON  WALTON. 

He  was  a  man  of  note,  in  his  day  and  generatioit,. 
In  point  of  education,  he  had  opportunities  above 
many  of  his  companions  in  the  miniftry.  Having  a 
relifh  for  literary  purfuits,  he  improved  his  mind 
above  Vv'hat  might  have  been  looked  for  from  his 
fchool  learning.  Being  a  good  mathem.itician,  he 
was  appointed  to  difcharge  the  duties  of  county  fur- 
veyor,  in  Amelia  the  place  of  his  refidence,  for 
a  length  of  time.,  Being  a  ready  fcribe,  he  was 
clerk  to  the  Middle  Dill:ri(fl:  Affociation,  for  many 
years.  There  was  a  confiderable  intimacy  between 
him  and  elder  John  Williams.  They  were  kindred 
fpirits.  As  a  preacher,  he  was  thought  to  be  above 
mediocrity:  though  in  this  charader,  he  did  not 
iliine  as'  brightly  as  might  have  been  exped:ed,  con- 
fidering  his  clevernefs  in  other  points.  He  refided 
in  Nottoway  church,  as  paftor,  for  many  years. 
But  in  1795,  he  moved  to  Kentucky;  where,  in 
March,  1798,  God  took  him  to  himfelf.  hev/as  a 
^ood  and  faithful  fervant. 


JAMES  IRELAND, 

James  Ireland  was  a  native  of  Scotland.  He 
emigrated  to  Virginia  after  he  had  arrived  to  the 
age  of  manhood.  He  had  ferious  and  religious  im- 
preiiions,  from  an  early  period  of  life  Having 
ibme  poetical  genius,  he  fometimes  occupied  ^his  ta- 
lent upon  ferious  fubjedls.     God,  who  works  m  a 

D3 


1-i't)  BIOGRAPliy  05- 

myilerious  way,  made  this  the  medium  of  anelfedu- 
a!  call.  By  revising  one  of  his  religious  poems,  he 
was  llruck  with  a  deep  fenfe  of  the  guilt  of  fm. 
After  paiTing  through  very  fevere  and  pungent  con- 
victions, he  obtained  a  hope  of  eternal  life,  iJis 
godly  forrow  worked  repentance  not  to  be  repented 
of.  lie  was  baptized  among  the  Separate  ikptifts, 
in  one  of  the  earlieft  tours  made  by  IVieflrs.  Kead 
and  Harrifs.  He  had  preached  previous  to  his  bap- 
tifm  ;  a  thing  not  uncommon  at  ti:e  firft  rife  of  the 
Baptiils  in  V^irginia.  After  he  was  baptized,  he 
foon  became  eminent  as  a  preacher.  His  firft  la- 
bours were  in  Culpeper  and  round  about  thofe 
parts*  Me  finally  moved  over  the  Ridge,  and  took 
the  care  of  feveral  churches.  (See  the  table  of  the 
Ketodton  AfTociation.)  His  manui^r  of  preaching 
was  highly  plealing  to  his  hearers.  Being  a  man  of 
confiderabk  iearninjr,  his  Ayie  was  handfome,  thousrh 
plain  :  and  his  manner  was.  affe<::tionate  and  tender. 
Frequently  deeply  affected  himfeif,  v/ithhis  own  views 
of  the  nxomentous  fubjeds  which  occupied  his  lips, 
liis  thirfty  audience  alio  led  up  by  the  ft  reams  which 
flowed  from  their  preacher,  drank  fweetly  of  the 
heavenly  fountain.  He  was  an  eloquent  man.  His 
eloquence  however,  was  not  of  the  iiaftiy  kind,  con- 
filling  of  fair  words  and  fine  fpeeches,  the  enticing 
words  of  man's  wifdom.  He  was  above  it.  fiut  in 
Ijmplicity  and  goodly  fincerity,  he  preached  jefus 
Chrift,  and  him  crucified.  His  arguments  v/ere  clofe 
mid  pertinent.  His  exhortations  were  warm  and  pa- 
thetic. 

After  labouring  in  the  Lord's  vineyard  about  for- 
ty years,  he  fell  aileep  in  the  fpring  of  1 806,  at  his 
ov7n  lioufe,  in  Frederick  county,  having  fuf- 
tained  with  fortitude,  a  long  and  fevere  illnefs.  His 
lofs  was  grievcully  felt  by  the  churches  and  congre- 
I'-ation  ^o  \vliom  he  miniitered.  it  is  no  eafy  matter 
to  fupply  the  place  of  fuch  a  man  as  Mr.  Ireland. 

IVlr.  Ireland  was  a  man  of  too  much  diftindion  to 


JfOliX    MF.GLAMRfc.  427 

<ilcape  the  notice  of  the  enemies  of  tlie  crofs.  He 
was  often  oppoied,  and  freq-iiently  treated  very 
roughly  by  them.  He  was  once  arrcited  while 
preaching,  and  thrown  into  Culpeper  jail.  V\  hiie  in 
clofeconiinement,  fonieof  the  more  malignant  burnf 
at  the  prifon  windows,  red  pepper  or  fome  kind  of 
naufeous  fubitance,  with  a  view  to  fuftbcate  him  with 
the  fmoke.  It  ahiYoil  coil  him  his  life  Efcaping, 
however,  v/ith  his  hfe,  he  never  regained  his  con-- 
ilitntion ;  being  always  afterwards  fubjecl  to  difor- 
dercd  bowels,  and  other  diltrefling  inlirmities.  Gra^ 
cious  heaven  !  that  ever  fach  a  man  as  James  ire- 
land  flioiild  be  lb  far  in  the  pov/er  of  fuch  unprinci-. 
pled  mifcreants!  Mr.  Ireland  bore  all  the  fcotis  and 
buftetings  of  the  ungodly,  as  a  follower  of  the  meek 
and  lowly  Jefus  ought  to  do.  He  fuffered  with  hun 
here;  and,  doubtlefs,  he  now  reigns  with  hiin  in 
glory. 


JOHN-  MliGLAMRE. 

Mr.  Meglamre  was  born  in  fome  of  the  northerii 
dates,  June  7th,  1730^  and  moved  to  North  Caroli- 
na previous  to  his  becoming  a  Baptift.  About  1^764 
or  1765,  he  joined  the  Baptifls  and  became  a  preach- 
er. After  labouring  fome  years  as  paftor  of  the  Ke- 
hukee  cliurch,  he  moved  to  Suflex  county,  Virginia  ; 
and  there,  by  his  pious  exertions  in  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom,  raifed  a  very  numerous  church.  Pie  \vas 
a  man  of  very  corred:  principles,  morals,  and  man- 
ners ;  and  greatly  refpeded  and  beloved  as  far  as  he 
was  known. 

In  the  Portfmouth  AlTociation  he  aded  as  modera- 
tor, whenever 'he  v/as  prefent ;  as  he  hid  aifodone  iii 
the  Kehukee,  previous  to  the  diviiion.  He  yieiaed 
his  foul  into  the  hands  of  him  wno  gave  it,  December 
13th, 1799. 


4,2$  BIOGRAPHY  OP 

He  lived  the  life  of  the  righteous ;  and,  doubtlcfs, 
in  his  latter  end,  realized  the  gain  ol  godlinefs. 


JOHN  CORBLEY, 

Was  a  native  of  Ireland  ;  and  v^^hile  a  boy,  agreed 
to  ferve  four  years  for  his  paflage  to  Pennfylvania. 
Wiien  his  time  expired,  he  came  to  Virginia,  and 
fettled  in  or  near  Cuipeper ;  where  he  became  a  con- 
vert to  true  religion,  under  the  miniftry  of  James 
Ireland.  After  liis  converfion,  he  became  fo  noted, 
that  the  enemies  of  the  crofs  conlidered  him  worthy 
of  a  prifon.  He  was  accordingly  put  into  Cuipeper 
jail,  where  he  flaid  a  conliderable  time.  The  exadl 
year  in  which  he  was  impriloned,  is  not  known  j  but 
it  was  probably  previous  to  770:  for  in  1769  he  was 
a  delegate  from  Mountain  Run  church  in  Cuipeper, 
to  the  Kctodron  Aflbciation  j  and  acled  as  clerk  of  the 
ailociation.  His  name  does  not  appear  on  the  min- 
utes again,  until  1775  ;  when  he  comes  as  a  repre- 
fcntative  of  a  church  called  Goflien,  in  Kedflone  fet- 
tlement,  Pennfylvania.  It  appears  that  he  had  moved 
there  feveral  years  previous  to  this;  and  in  conjunc- 
tion With  Ifaac  Sutton,  had  planted  the  iirft  three 
or  iour  churches  in  the  Redllone  fettiement.  Mis 
firil  wife  was  a  Papifl,  and  was  married  to  him  pre- 
vious to  his  profellion  of  religion.  She  proved  a 
tl:orn  in  his  hde,  during  her  life.  She  died;  and  he 
married  a  moll  amiable  w^oman,  by  whom  he  had  fe- 
vcn  children.  But,  how  delufory  is  all  earthly  blifs! 
Tiie  Indians,  for  many  years,  were  exceedingly  trcu- 
biefome  in  the  iiedllone  country.  Mr  Corbley  and 
his  vviie  and  children,  on  a  Sunday  morning,  ilarted 
to  walk  to  the  meeting  houfe,  lefs  than  half  a 
iiaie  from  his  houfe.  After  going  a  fmail  dillance,  it 
was  found  that  his  bible,  which  he  had  given  his  wife 
to  carry,  had  been  forgotten.     He  went  back  after 


J.OUN    CORD  LEY.  429 

it.  On  his  return  to  overtake  his  fvimily,  he  C.\w 
two  Indians  running;  one  of  v/hom  made  a  direful 
yell.  He  fu^ped:ed  foinething  bad;  and  ran  to  a 
fort  about  half  a  mile  off,  and  obtained  affillance. 
When  they  came  to  the  place,  he  found  his  wife 
killed  with  a  tomahawk ;  and  the  infant  which  iht 
had  in  her  arms  thrown  acrofs  her  breaft,  with  its 
brains  dafliedout  againil:  a  tree.  Three  of  the  other 
children  were  killed,  and  two  fcalpedand  wounded 
that  afterwards  recovered.  Only,  one,  a  little  girl, 
efcaped  unhurt.  She  was  attacked,  but  a  dog  feised 
the  Indian  that  was  pursuing  her ;  by  which  (he  got 
into  the  buflies  and  hid  herfelf.  The  feelings  of  Mr, 
Corbley,  on  this  afHiding  occafion,  are  beyond  dcfcrip- 
tion.  He  fell  into  a  melancholy  ftate  of  mind  ;  du- 
ring which,  he  could  not  preach,  or  fcarcely  do  any 
thing  elfe.  Reflecting  at  length,  that  the  liand  of 
Providence  was  viiible  in  the  prefervation  of  his  own 
life,  he  took  courage  and  recomenced  his  labours. 
His  minillry  was  very  effectual  in  that  country : 
though  thinly  fettled,  he  baptized  three  or  four  hun- 
dred perfons.  He  was  a  man  of  great  gifts;  and 
cflecm.ed  by  moft,  a  very  pious  chriiban.  His  fuc- 
cefs  drew  upon  him  the  refentment  of  the  v/icked  .; 
which  they  vented  in  a  very  diabolical  manner.  A 
bafe  woman  accused  him  of  making  frequent  crimi- 
nal propofals  to  her  ;  and  offered  to  confirm  it  by  a 
I'olemn  oath.  Although  he  knew  it  to  be  f-ilfe,  and 
the  church  did  not  believe  it;  yet  he  thought  it  belt 
to  remain  lilent  and  not  preach,  until  it  could  by  fome 
means  be  cleared  up.  They  cited  the  Vv^oman  to  ap- 
pear before  a  magiflrate,  in  order  to  fvvear  her  to 
what  file  affirmed;  and  in  the  mean  time  v/ere,,earn- 
eftly  engaged  in  prayer.  When  fhe  ca'.me  before  the 
magiftrate,  £l:ie  was  taken  with  a  trembling;  and  for 
fo'me  time  remained  speechlefs.  Some  \-7i{]ied  toex- 
cufe  her,  and  let  it  pals  off:  but  Mr.  Corbley  inliit- 
ed  on  her  fv/earing ;   v/liich  Hit-  did,   and  exprefsl  v 


declared  his  innocence  :  and  fiiid  it  Was  a  plot  laid 
by  certain  perfons  whom  flie  named. 

in  the  time  of  the  whiskey  infurrediion,  as  it  is 
commonly  called,  Mr,  C'orbley  was  accufed  of  ta- 
king an  active  part  in  favouring  and  aiding  the  infiir- 
gents  ;  for  which,  as  being  a  difunguiflied  man,  the 
government  chofe  to  make  an  example  of  him.  He 
was  fcizcd,  and  haftily  carried  to  Philadelphia,  which 
was  upwards  of  two  hundred  miles  from  home  -,  and 
there  kept  in  prifon  in  great  a{llid:ion.  His  wants 
^.vhile  in  prifon  were  benevolently  fupplicd  by  doc- 
tor Roo;ers,  and  others  of  his  friends  in  Philadelphia. 
He  w^as  never  brou2:ht  to  trial  :  and  of  courfe  it  can- 
not,  with  certainty,  be  faid  whether  he  was  accufed 
falfely  or  not.  He  was  not  accufed  of  being  an  in- 
furgent  hinifelf;  but  aiding  and  abetting  thofe  that 
were.  If  this  was  the  cafe,  it  was  certainly  a  very 
imprudent  piece  of  conduct ;  3'et,  confidering  the 
ilate  of  things  in  that  country,  at  that  time,  it  muft 
be  viewed  by  the  impartial,  rather  as  an  error  of  the 
head  than  ot  the  heart.  He  lived  about  seven  years 
after  he  was  releafcd  from  prifon  :  during  which 
lime,  he  continued  to  occupy  his  talents  and  to  do 
good.      In  1805,  he  finilhed  his  courfe  in  peace. 

Mr.  Corbiey,  though  a  good  preacher,  was  thought 
to  do  more  good  out  of  the  pulpit  than  in  it.  He 
generally,  after  preaching,  mixed  with  the  congrega- 
tions :  and,  by  iingino;  and  pious  exhortations,  ire- 
quently  made  very  ferious  impredions. 


JOHN  GARRARD. 

Concerning  Mr.  Garrard  much  has  already  been 
faid  in  the  general  hi  dory  of  the  Regular  Baptifts. 
A  few  further  remarks  will  fmiih  his  hifcory.  He 
came  firfl  from  the  bounds  of  the  Philadelphia  AiTo- 


ciation,  and  fettled  in  Berkley  county,  on  Opeckon 
creek.  His  removal  to  the  Ketodton  below  the  Ridge, 
with  his  return,  &c  has  been  already  mentioned.. 
After  he  had  again  fettled  in  Ajill  Creek  church,  he 
became  a  confiderabie  traveller,  fomeiimes  with  and 
fometimes  without  Mr.  Thomas.  He  was  a  warm, 
;:ealous,  and  fuccefsful  preacher  ;  and  highly  reputed 
v\^herever  he  was  known.  Me  often  adted  as  modera- 
tor to  the  ailbciation  ;  and  was  by  all  efleemed  as  a 
venerable  father  in  the  church  of  God.  He  lived  to 
hs(  a  very  old  man  ;  and  died  about  1784. 


JOSEPH  ANTHONY. 

Mr.  Anthony  ought  to  fland  among  the  iirftof  If- 
jael's  worthies  ;  if  not  for  talents,  yet  for  v/hit  is 
much  more  valuable,  for  unfeigned  piety,  unwearied 
zeal,  and  exteniive  uiefulnefs.  For  his  firft  com- 
mencement as  preacher,  his  perfecutions,  &c.  fee 
Toaees  12  and  17.      His  firft  uieful  labours  after  he 

J.       o  / 

could  venture  to  travel  out,  Vv^ere  in  the  lov/er  end 
of  Henrico,  Charles  City,  and  James  City  ;  where  he 
aided  Mr.  Baker  in  planting  the  churches  in  thole 
parts.  After  a  few  years,  he  moved  up  to  Henry 
county  j  and  was  there  during  the  reft  of  his  life, 
very  laborious,  and  fuccefsful  in  turning  m.any  to 
sighteoufnefs.  He  feldom  was  in  company  with 
any  irreligious  perfons,  that  he  did  not  exhort  them 
*^o  repentance.  He  was  for  many  years  a  leading 
charad:er  in  the  Strawberry  Ailbciation.  When  the 
jViayo  v/as  taken  oit,  he  fell  into  that  diiln\5i:j  in 
whicli  he  adled  as  moderator  as  long  as  he  lived. 
He  died  triiuiiphant  in  the  Lord. 

Blciscd  are  the  dead  ihat  •-'■-  ■"  '';"  "":v7;  -—  thrir 
Zi-arks  do  lollow  tlieui. 


.132 


BiCuliAMlV  OF 


RICHARD  MAJOR. 

Mr.  "Richard  Major  was  a  native  of  Nev/  Jcrfey  ; 
v.'here  he  contirxucd  until  he  was  thirty  years  of  ap-c; 
md  then  moved  into  louden  countv,  Virginia. 
During  the  early  part  of  his  life,  he  was  haraffed  oc- 
cafionally  w^ith  awful  convidlicns  :  which  he  endea- 
voured  to  fliake  off,  by  reforting  to  wild  company. 
They  would,  however,  return  upon  him  ngnin  v/ith 
double  force.  When  he  had  ari(cn  to  the  years<of 
maturity,  he  was  ftill  purfued  by  the  moil  horrid 
temptations.  Ceing  a  man  of  flrong  mind,  he  could 
not  avoid  Ibrting  objections  to  the  gofpcl  plaji  of 
falvation;  then  he  would  be  tempted  to  believe  that 
lie  would  be  damned  for  fuch  wifdom.  Grace  final-* 
]y  prevailed  ;  and  he  became  a  zealous  chriflian. 

He  was  not  a  man  of  much  fchool  learning;  but 
his    vigourous  mind    rofe    above    all    obftrudions. 
Well  tauglit  in  the   fchcol  of  ChriH:,  and  devoting 
himfelf  to  the  {ludy  of  the    fcripture    he  became    a 
workman    that  needeth   not  to   be   afhamed.       He 
snnglit  not  great   things    i'cr  himsc/f;    but  in   fim- 
plicity  and  godly  fincerity  he  preached  Chrift  cruci- 
fied.    He  was  remarked,  by  all  who  knew  him,  for 
his  indefatigable  labours  in  the  miniilry.     From  the 
time  he  entered  on  his  work,  until  his  conftitution 
began  to  fail,  he   travelled  far  and  near  in  order  to 
perfuade  finners  to  repent.     He  fucceeded  beyond 
many  of  much  greater  talents.     He  is  faid  to  have 
planted,  from  firll   to  lajft,    fix  or  eight  churchcg. 
For  feveral  years  after  he  commenced  preacher,  he 
met  with  great  oppofition  from  individuals.      A  cer- 
tain m^an,  whofe  wife  had  been  baptized  by  Mr.  Ma- 
jor, determined  to  kill   him  on  fight ;  and  went  to 
meeting  for  that  purpofe.      He  fat  down  in  hearing; 
intending    to    catch    at    fome    obnoxious  exprelTion 
which  might  fiiU  from  Mr.  Major ;  and   under  that 
pretence  to  attack  him.     But  God  produced  a  dif- 


RICHARD  MAJOR.  43.3 

ferent  refult.  For  the  man  infhead  of  executing  his 
defign,  became  fo  convicted,  that  he  could  not  keep 
on  his  feet :  and  was  afterwards  baptized  by  th?  man 
whom  he  intended  to  murder.  Another  really  at=- 
tacked  him  with  a  club  in  a  violent  manner.  Mr. 
Major  being  remarkable  for  great  prefence  of  mind, 
turned  to  him,  and  m  a  folemn  m.inner  faid,  "  atan, 
I  command  thee  to  come  out  of  the  man."  His  club 
immediately  began  to  tall,  and  the  lion  became  as 
quiet  as  a  lamb.  Thefe  are  a  £&w  of  the  many  oc- 
currences of  this  kind  that  took  place  in  the  long  life 
of  this  valuable  man.  For  ten  or  twelve  years  before 
his  death,  his  ilurdy  conflitution  beg.in  to  fail.  He 
was  attacked  by  the  gravel,  a  very  painful  difeafe ; 
and  in  order  to  gain  relief,  he  went  to  the  medicinal 
fprings.  From  the  water  he  could  get  no  relief^ 
but  by  apparent  accident,  he  was  informed  of  a  re- 
medy;* which  upon  trial,  he  found  very  effediual. 
This  gave  him  refpite  for  feveral  years.  But  being 
attacked  by  the  fame  difeafe  again,  after  a  tedious 
and  painful  illnefs,  he  finiflied  his  courfe  at  about 
fourfcore  years  of  age.  He  has  doubtlefs  found  a 
bright  maniion  in  his  Father's  kingdom. 

So  much  was  he  efteemed  in  the  latter  part  of  his 
life,  that  he  had  ferious  apprehenfions,  that  he  muft 
be  too  much  at  eafe  for  a  gofpel  minifler ;  or,  in  other 
words,  it  feemed  as  if  the  expreffion,  woe  be  itnlo  j/oii 
ZDhen  all  men  speak  wed  of  i/gu,  applied  to  his  case. 
In  the  midil:  of  thefe  thoughts,  he  accidentally  heard 
a  man  lay  to  his  charge  one  of  the  moll:  abominable 
crimes.  At  firft  he  felt  irritated;  but  recoUeding 
his  previous  reflections,  he  was  foon  reconciled. 

**The  remedy  was  the  juice  of  red  onion  mixed  with  the  jtiicr 
of  horferaint  j  taking  a  e,ii!  everv  mornin?^. 

h5 


APPENDIX. 


A  MEMORIAL  AND  REMONSTRANCE  AGAINST  THE  Gl£.. 
NERAL  ASSESSMENT,  PRESENTED  TO  THE  GENERAl! 
ASSEMBLY  OF  VIRGINIA,  AT  THE  SESSION  FOR  THE 
YEAR  OF  OUR  LORD  ONE  THOUSAND  SEVEN  HUNDRED 
AND    EIGHTY    FIVE, 

Draiun  (>)>  fames  Madimi%  miv  Prejident  of  the  United. Stats;//, 


41^41  C     4i^4^<3#^ 


A  MEMORIAL  AND  REMONSTRANCfi. 


.^Q     THE   IIOr'tOURABLE      THE     GENERAL    ASSEMBLY     OJ? 
THE    COMMONWEALTH  OF    VIRGINIA. 

WE,  the  fiibscribers,  jcitizens  of  the  faid  com- 
monwealth, having  taken  into  ferious  conlideration 
a  bill,  printed  by  order  of  the  laft  feffion  of  general 
aflembly,  entitled  "A  bill  eftabliihing  a  provilion  for 
teachers  of  the  chriftian  religion;"  and  conceiving, 
that  the  fame,  if  finally  armed  with  the  fandlions  of  a 
law,  will  be  a  dangerous  abufe  of  power;  are  bound 
as  faithful  members  of  a  free  ftate,  to  remonftrate 
ugainfl  it,  and  to  declare  the  reafons  by  which  we 
are  determined.  We  remonftrate  againft  the  faid 
bill: 

Becaufe  we  hold  it  for  a  fundamental  and  una- 
lienable truth,  **  that  religion,  or  the  duty  which  we 
owe  to  the  Creator,  and  the  manner  of  difcharging 
it,  can  be  dkexfled  only  by  reafon  and  convi,«rtion. 


435  ifcilfcj|KA 

not  by  force  or  violence."*  The  religion,  tlien,  of 
every  man,  mull  be  left  to  the  convidtion  and  con- 
fciences  of  every  man  ;  and  it  is  the  right  of  every 
mail  tcexercifeit,  as  thefe  may  dictate.  This  right 
is,  m  its  nature,  an  unalienable  right.  It  is  unalien- 
able i  becaule  the  opinions  of  men  depending  only 
on  the  evidence  contemplated  by  their  own  minds, 
cnnot  follow  the  dictates  of  other  men.  It  is  unali- 
enable, ^Ifo;  bccaufe  what  is  here  a  right  towards 
mail,  is  a  duty  towards  the  Creator,  h  is  the  duty 
of  "very  man  to  render  to  the  C  reator  fuch  homage, 
and  luch  only,  as  he  believes  to  be  acceptable  to  him. 
'jLiiiS  duty  It;  precedent,  both  in  order  of  lime,  and  in 
degree  of  obligatior^  te'thte  tl*imi*  dl'civil  iociety. 
Before  any  man  can  be  confidered  as  a  member  of 
civil  fociety,  he  m.ull  be  confidered  as  a  fubje(5t  of  the 
Governor  of  the  univerle.  And  if  a  member  of 
civil  fociety,  who  enters  into  any  fubordinate  afloci- 
ation,  muft  always  do  it  with  a  rcfervation  of  Iris 
duty  to  the  general  iRluhority  ;  much  more  muft  eve- 
ry man  who  JDeccmes  a  member  of  any  particular 
civii  fociety,  do  it  with  a  faving  of  his  allegiance  to 
the  univerfal  Sovereign.  We  maintain,  therciore, 
that,  in  matttrs  of  religion,  no  man's  right  is  abridg- 
ed by  the  inflstuticn  of  civil  fociety  -,  and  that  rehgi- 
on  is  wholly  exempt  from  its  cognizance.  True  it 
is,  that  no  other  rule  exifls,  by  which  any  queftion 
which  m.ay  divide  a  fociety  can  be  ultirDatcly  deter- 
mined, but  by  the  will  of  the  majority.  But  it  is 
alfo  true  that  the  majority  may  trefpafs  on  the  rights 
of  the  minority, 

Becaufe  if  religion  be  exempt  from  the  authority 
of  the  fociety  at  large,  ftiil  lefs  can  it  be  fubjed:  to 
that  of  the  legillative  body.  The  latter  are  but  the 
creatures  and  vicegerents  of  the  former.  Their  ju- 
rifdidtion  is  both  derivative  and  limited.  It  is  limit- 
ed with  regard  to  the  co-ordinate  departments:  more 

•'*  Declaration  of  Rights,  article  i6» 


APPENDIX.  <f!37 

neceffarily,  it  is  limited  with  regard  to  the  conditu- 
ents.  The  prefervation  of  a  free  government  re- 
quires, not  merely  that  the  metes  and  bounds  which 
feparate  each  department  of  power,  be  invariiibly 
maintained ;  but  more  efpeCially,  that  neither  of 
them  be  fufFered  to  overleap  the  great  barrier  which 
defends  the  rights  of  the  people..  The  rulers  who 
are  guilty  of  fuch  an  encroachment,  exceed  the 
cominiilion  from  v/hich  they  derive  their  authority, 
and  are  tyrants.  The  people  who  fubmit  to  it,  are 
governed  by  laws  made  neither  by  themlelvet;,  nor 
Ky  an  authority  derived  from  them,  and  are  Haves.  . 
-  Becaufc  it  is  proper  to  take  alarm,  at  the  firft  ex- 
periment on  our  liberties.  Vf  e  hold  this  prudent 
jealoufy,  to  be  the  iirft  duty  of  citizens,  and  one  of 
the  noblpft;  charadlcriftics  of  the  late  revolution. 
The  freemen  of  America  did  not  wait  until  ufurped 
power  had  flrengthened  itfelf  by  exercife,  and  entan- 
gled the  queftion  in  precedents.  They  faw  all  the 
confequences  in  the  principle,  and  they  avoided  the 
confequences  by  denymg  the  principle.  We  re- 
vere this  lefibn  too  much,  foon  to  forget  it.  Who 
does  not  fee  that  the  fame  authority  which  can  eila.- 
blifh  chriftianity  in  exclufion  of  all  other  religions, 
may  eftablifli,  with  the  fame  eale,  any  particular 
fe(5t  of  chiiftians,  in  exclufion  of  all  other  fed;s  ? 
That  the  fame  authority  which  can  force  a  citizen  to 
contribute  three  pence  only  of  his  property,  for  the 
fiipport  of  any  one  eftablilhment,  may  force  him  to 
conform  to  any  other  ef!:ablifhment,  in  all  cafes 
whatfoever. 

Becaufe  the  bill  violates  that  equality  which  ought 
to  be  the  balis  of  every  law  ;  and  which  is  more  in- 
difpenfable,  in  proportion  as  the  validity  or  expedi- 
ency of  any  law  is  more  liable  to  be  impeached.  *'  H 
all  men  are,  by  nature,  equally  free  and  independ- 
ent,"* all  men  are  to  be  coniidercd  as  cnterinj^  into 

♦Declaration  of  P.aht.S;  artirlc  7. 


48^  -APPENDIX. 

focitty  on  equal  conditions,  as  relinquifhing  no  niprc. 
and  therefore  retaining  no  lefs,  one  than  another,  ot 
their  natural  rights :  above  all,  are  they  to  be  conli- 
<^ered  as  retaining  an  "  erjiial  title  to.  the  free  exer** 
cife  of  religion  according  to  th«  didatcs  of  coa- 
fcience."*  Whiiil  we  afTert  for  ourfelvcs  a  free- 
dom''to  embrace,  to  profefs,  and  obferve  the  reli- 
gion which  we-  believe  to  be  of  divine  origin;  we 
cannot  deny  an  equal  freedom  to  thofe  whofe  mind& 
have  not  yet  yielded  to  the  evidence  which  has  con- 
vinced us.  If  this  freedom  be  abufed,  it  is  an  of- 
fence 2.gain{):  God,  not  againft  man.  To  God,  there- 
fore, and  not  to  man,  muft  an  account  of  it  be  ren- 
dered. 

As  -the  bill  violates  equality,  by  fubjedling  fomc 
to  peculiar  burdens ;  fo  it  violates  the  fame  principle 
by  granting  to  others,  peculiar  exemptions.  Are 
the  Quakers  and  Menpnifts  the  only  fedfs  who  think 
a  compulfive  fupport  of  their  religions  unneceffary 
and  unwarrantable  ?  Can  their  piety  alone  be  en^ 
trufled  with  triQ  care  of  public  worfl^iip  ?  Ought 
their  religions  to  he  endowed,  above  all  others,  with 
extraordinary  privileges,  by  which  profelytes  may 
be  enticed  from  all  others  ?  We  think  too  favoura- 
bly of  the  juftice  and  good  fenfe  of  thefe  denomina- 
tions, to  believe,  that  they  either  covet  preeminences 
over  their  fellow  citizens,  or  that  they  will  be  fedu-- 
ced  by  them  from  the  common  oppofition  to  the 
meafura. 

ijecaufe  the  bill  implies,  either  th^t  the  civil  ma- 
glftrate  is  a  competent  judge  of  religious  truths,  or 
tliat  he  may  employ  religion  as  an  engine  of  civil 
policy.  The  nrlt  is  an  arrogant  pretenfion,  faliilied 
by  the  extraordinary  opinion  of  rulers,  in  all  ages, 
and  throughout  the  world;  thefecond,  an  unhallow- 
■--d  perverfion  of  the  means  of  falvation. 

liec^ufe  the  efrabliflimentpropofed  by  the  bill  is  not 

*  Declaration  of  E-ights,  article  i^'. 


i'equilite  fof  the  fapport  of  the  chriitian  religlorr. 
To  fay  that  it  is,  is  a  contradiflioa  to  the  chridiaii 
religion  itfelf;  for  every  page  of  it  difavows  a  depend-* 
ence  on  the  power  of  this  world  ^  it  is  a  contradiction 
to  fa(5l,  for  it  is  knawn  that  this  religion  both  exifted  i 
and  flouriflied.  not  only  without  the  fupport  of  hu- 
man laws,   but  in   fpite  of  every  oppofition   from 
them  J  and  not  only  during  the  period  of  miraculouJi- 
aid,  but  long  after  it  had  been  left  to  its  own  evi- 
dence and  the  ordinary  care  of  Providence  :  nay,  it  ii; 
a  (Contradiction  in  terms;  for  a  religion  not  invented 
by  human   policy,  mud  have   preexifled   and  been 
fupported,  before  it  was  efl:abli(hed  by  human  poli- 
cy ;  it  is  moreover  to  weaken  in  thofe  who  profefs  thi:> 
religion  a  pious  confidence  in  its  innate  exceilencu 
and  the  patronage  of  its  Author  ;  and  to  fofter  in 
thofe  who    flill  reject  it,   a  fufpicion  that  its  friends, 
are  too  confcious  of  its  fallacies,   to  trufl  k  to  its 
own  merits. 

Becaufe  experience  witnefTes  that  eccleliaftical 
ellablifhments,  initead  of  maintaining  the  purity 
and  efficacy  of  religion,  have  had  a  contrary  opera- 
tion. During  almoft  fifteen  centuries  has  the  legal 
eflablifhment  of  chriflianity  been  on  trial.  What 
have  been  its  fruits?  more  or  lefs  in  all  places^, 
pride  and  indolence  in  the  clergy;  ignorance  and 
.fervility  in  the  laity;  in  both,  fuperflition,  bigotry, 
and  perfecution.  Enquire  of  the  teachers  of  chrif- 
tianity  for  the  ages  in  which  it  appeared  in  its 
greatefh  luflre  ?  thofe  of  every  fe<ft  point  to  the 
ages  prior  to  its  incorporation  with  civil  policy. 
Propofe  a  refloration  of  this  primitive  flate,  in  which 
its  teachers  depended  on  the  voluntary  rewards  of 
their  flocks,  many  of  them  predid:  its  downfall.  On 
which  fide  ought  their  teftimony  to  have  greatell 
Weight,  when  for,  or  when  againil:  their  intercii  ?    « 

.  Becaufe  the  eflablifhment  in  queftion,  is  not  ncc^f- 
iary  for  the  fupport  of  civil  government.  If  it  be 
urged  as  nece-flary  for  the  fupport  of  civil  govern-- 


« 


14  v)  APPENDIX. 

ment,  only  as  it  is  a  means  of  fuppofting  religion^ 
and  it  be  not  necellary  for  the  latter  piirpofe,  it  can- 
not be  necelTary  for  the  former.  \f  religion  be  not 
w;thin  the  cognizance  of  civil  government,  how 
can  its  legal  eftdblifliment  be  fai4  to  be  necefTary  to 
civil  government  ?  What  influence  in  fa(fl  have  ec- 
cleliafHcal  eftablifliments  had  on  civil  fociety  ?  In 
fome  inflances  they  have  been  Ccen  to  exa6t  a  fpirit- 
ual  tyranny  on  the  ruins  of  the  civil  authority ;  in 
more  inftances  have  they  been  feen  upholding  the 
thrones  of  political  tyranny ;  in  no  inftance  have  they 
been  fecn  the  guardians  of  the  liberties  of  tne  people. 
Rulers  who  wilhcd  to  fabvert  the  public  liberty,  may 
have  found  an  eftablifhed  clergy  convenient  auxilia- 
ries. A  juit  government  inflituted  to  fecure  and  per- 
petuate it,  needs  them  not.  Such  a  government  will 
be  beft  fupported  by  protedling  every  citizen  in  the 
enjoyment  of  his  religion,  with  the  same  equal  hand 
which  protects  his  perfon  and  his  property;  by  nei- 
ther invading  the  eq.ual  rights  of  any  fe6t,  nor  fuf-- 
fering  any  fed:  to  invade  thofe  of  another. 

Becaufe  the  propofed  eilabhOiment  is  a  departure 
from  that  generous  policy,  which,  offering  an  afylum 
to  the  perfecuted  and  opprefTed  of  every  nation  and 
religion,  promifed  a  luftre  to  our  country,  and  an  ac- 
ceffion  to  the  number  of  its  citizens.  What  a  me- 
lancholy mark  is  the  bill  of  fudden  degeneracy  ?  In^ 
itead  of  holding  forth  an  afyhun  to  the  perfecuted^ 
it  is  itfelf  a  signal  of  perfecution.  It  degrades  from 
the  equal  rank  of  citizens  all  thofe  whofe  opinions  in 
religion  do  not  l>cnd  to  thofe  of  the  legillative  au- 
thority. Diftant  as  it  may  be,  in  its  prefcnt  form, 
from  the  inquifition,  it  differs  from  it  only  in  degree: 
the  one  is  the  fir/l:  ilep,  the  other  the  lail,  in  the  ca- 
reer of  intolerance.  The  magnanimous  fufferer 
tinder  the  cruel  fcourge  in  foreign  regions,  mufl 
view  the  hill  as  a  beacon  on  our  coaft,  warning  him 
tofeek  fdme  other  ]iaven>  where  libert}^  and  philan- 


APPENDIX.  441 

thropy  in  their  due  extent  may  offer  a  more  certain. 
repofe  from  his  troubles. 

Becaufe  it  will  have  a  like  tendency  to  banifh  our 
citizens  The  allurements  prefented  by  other  fitua* 
tions,  are  ever/  day  thinning  their  number.  To  fu* 
peradd  afrgfh  motive  to^  emigration,  by  revoking  the 
liberty  vehich  they  now  enjoy,  would  be  the  fame 
ipecies  of  folly,  which  has  diflionoured  and  depopu- 
lated flourifhing  kmgdoms. 

Becaufe  it  will  deftroy  that  moderation  and  har- 
mony, which  the  forbearance  of  our  laws  to  inter- 
meddle with  religion  has  produced  among  its  feveral 
fedts.  Torrents  of  blood  have  been  fpilt  in  the  old 
world,  by  vain  attempts  of  the  iecular  arm  to  extm- 
guifh  religious  difcord  by  profcribing  all  differences 
in  religious  opinion.  Time  has  at  length  revealed  the 
true  remedy.  Every  relaxation  of  narrow  and  rigorous 
policy,  wherever  it  has  been  tried,  has  been  found  to 
aiTuagee  the  difeafe.  The  American  theatre  has  ex- 
hibited proofs,  that  equal  and  complete  liberty,  if  it 
does  not  wholly  eradicate  it,  fufficiently  deftroy^  its 
malignant  influence  on  the  health  and  prosperity  of 
the  ftate.  If  with  the  falutary  effefts  of  this  fyftem 
tinder  our  own  eyes,  we  begin  to  contracft  the  bounds 
of  religious  freedom,  we  know  no  name  that  will  too 
feverely  reproach  our  folly.  At  leaft  let  warning  be 
taken  at  the  firfl  fruits  of  the  threatened  innovation. 
The  very  appearance  o^  the  bill  has  transformed  that 
"  chriftian  forbearance,  love,  and  charity,"*  which 
of  late  mutually  prevailed,  into  animofities  and  jea- 
lousies which  may  not  foon  be  appeafed.  What 
mifchiefs  may  not  be  dreaded,  fhould  this  enemy  to 
the  public  quiet,  be  armed  with  the  force  of  a 
law? 

•  Declaration  of  Rights,  articb  16. 
F3 


4-1:^  APPENDIX. 

Becaufe  the  pclicy  6f  the  bill  is  adverfe  to  the  dif*r 
fufion  of  the  hght  of  chriftianity.  The  firft  wifh  of 
thofe  who  ought  to  etijoy  this  precious  gift  ought  to 
be,  that  it  may  be  imparted  to  the  whole  race  of 
mankind.  Compare  the  number  of  thole,  Avho  have 
as  yet  received  it,  Avith  the  number  ftill  remaining 
tinder  the  dominion  of  falfe  religions,  and  how  fmall 
is  the  former!  T3oes  the  policy  of  the  bill  tend  to 
ledhn  the  dilproportion  ?  No ;  it  at  once  difcourages 
thofe  who  are  ftrangers  to  the  light  of  truth,  from 
coming  into  the  regions  of  it;  and  countenances  by, 
example,  the  nations  who  continue  in  darkness,  in 
fliutting  out  thofe  who  might  convey  it  to  them  In- 
■0:':?d  of  levelling  as  far  as  poflible  every  obftacle  to 
the  viiftorious  progrefs  of  truth,  the  bill  with  an  ig- 
noble and  unchriilian  timidity,  would  circumfcribe 
it,  w^ith  a  wall  of  defence  againll  the  encroachments 
of  error 

Decaufe  attempts  to  enforce  by  legal  fandions, 
acfls,  obnoxious,  to  fo  t:reat  a  proportion  of  citizens, 
tend  to  enervate  the  laws  in  general,  and  to  flacken 
the  bands  of  fociety.  If  it  be  difficult  to  execute  any 
law,  which  is  not  generally  deemed  neceffary  or  fa- 
lutary,  what  mult  be  the  cafe  where  it  is  deemed  in- 
valid and  dangerous  ?  And  what  may  be  the  eifedt  of 
fo  ftriking  an  example  of  impotency  in  the  govern* 
ment  on  its  general  authority  ? 

Becaufe  a  meafure  of  fuch  fmgular  magnitude 
and  delicacy,  ought  not  to  be  impoled,  without  the 
cleared  evidence  that  it  is  called  for  by  a  majority 
of  citizens;  and  no  fatisfadory  method  is  yet  propo- 
fed  by  which  the  voice  of  the  majority  in  this  cafe 
may  be  determined,  or  its  influence  fecured.  "The 
people  of  the  refpective  counties  are  indeed  requefted 
to  iignify  their  opinion  refpeding  the  adoption  of 
the  bill,  to  the  next  feffion  of  alfembly."  But  the 
reprelentatidh  mufl  be  made  equal,  before  the  voice 


APPENDIX.  443 

either  of  the  reprefentatives  or  of  the  counties,  will 
be  that  of  thej  people.  Our  hope  is  that  neither  of 
the  former,  will  after  due  co p. lide ration,  cfpoufe  the 
dangerous  principle  of  the  .Jyill.  Sliould  the  event 
difappoint  us,  it  will  flill  le^^ve  us  in  full  confidence, 
that  a  fair  appeal  to  the  latter  will  reveffe  the  fen- 
tence  againft  our  liberties.  ^^ 

Becaufe  finally,  "  the  equal  right  of  ef  ery  citizen 
to  the  free  exercife  of  his  religion  according  to  the 
dictates  of  confcience,"  is  held  by  the  iame  tenure 
with  all  our  other  rights.  If  vye  recur  to  its  origin, 
it  is  equally  the  gift  ot  nature  j  if  we  weigh  its  im- 
portance it  cannot  be  iefs  denr  to  us ;  if  we  confalt 
the  "  Declaration  of  thofe  rights  which  pertain  to 
the  good  people  of  Virginia,  as  the  bafis  and  founda- 
tion of  government,"*  it  is  enumerated  v/ith  equil 
folemnity.  or  rather  with  ftudied  emptiafis.  Eitner 
then  we  rnuit  fay,  that  the  will  of  the  iegiflatur^  is 
the  only  meafure  of  their  authority  ;  and  that,  in  ihe 
plenitude  of  this  authority,  they  may  iweep  away  all 
our  fundamental  rights;  or,  tiiat  they  ai(^||bouiid  to 
leave  this  particular  right  untouched  and  lacred  :  ei- 
ther we  mull  fiy  that  they  may  con.troul  the  free- 
dom of  the  prefs  j  may  aboliiii  tne  triiii  by  jury;  may 
fwallow  up  the  executive,  and  judiciary  powers  of 
the  ftate:  nav,  that  tiiey  may  annihilate  our  very 
right  of  fuftrage,  and  erect  themleives  into  an  inde- 
pendent, and  hereditary  afiembly;  or  we  mud  iay 
that  thi^y  have  no  authority  to  enadt  into  a  law,  the 
bill  under  conlideration.  We  the  fubfcribcrs  fify, 
that  the  general  afiembly  of  this  commonwealth 
have  no  luch  authority;  and  that  no  effort  may  be 
omitted  on  our  part  againif  fu  dangerous  a  uiurp-. 
ation,  we  oppose  to  it  this  Remonirrance,  carneiii^ 
praying;  as  we  are  in  duty  bound,  that  tiieiupreu-v- 
Lawgi.y-r  of  the  univerfe,  by  illuminating  thgfe  to 
whom  it  is  addrelfed,  may,  on  one  hand,  turn  t  leir 
councils  from  every  a.d',  winch  would  aifroniiiis  nu- 


1 


f 


} 


^4^  APPKNDIX. 

ly  prerogative,  or  violate  the  truft  committed  to 
them;  and,  on  the  other,  guide  them  into  every  mea- 
fure  which  may  be  worthy  of  his  bleffing,  may  re- 
dound to  their  own  praife,  and  may  eilabhfli  more 
firmly  the  libeities,  the  property,  and  the  happinefs 
of  this  commonwealth. 


GENERAL  TABLE 


OF  THE 


.  VIRGINIA  ASSOCIATIONS. 

The  following  table  wilt  furnish  a  general  view  of  the 
state  of  the  Virginia  Associations ;  and  likewise  an» 
swer  as  an 

INDEX, 

To  show  in  what  part  of  the  book  each  Association  -is 
treated  on. 


5? 

-0 

1       y  1 

Names  of  Aflbciations, 

fco. 

refent  ni 

ber  of 

Churche 

efent  nu 

ber  of 

Member 

h3 

Cfq 

re 

3 

» 

•       3 

r      3 

from      to 

Gcneiai  AflTociat'On 
General  Coinmittee 
General  Meeting  ot  Cor- 

refpondence 
Dovc;r  Alfociation 
Orange 
Gofheii 
Albemarle 
Culpeper 
Middle  Diftria 
Appomattox 
Mcnerrin 
Roanoke 
Strawberry 
Nevv  tiivev 
Hoifton 
Monntain 
Accomack 
Ketocton 
Greenbrier 
Union 
Rea  Stone 
Portsmouth 
■     Mayo* 

Totals 

•  The  accounts  from  Mavp  a 
muft  be  hft  almolt  blank,  i^j^ 


1760 

1783 

1800 

1783 

37 

I7«3 

1791 

»9 

1791 

9 

1791 

18 

1783 

8 

1804 

16 

1804 

16 

1788 

30 

1766 

24 

1793 

9 

1788 

lomV. 

1799 

3inV. 

1808 

7 

1765 

3z 

1807 

9 

1804 

13 

1776 

7inV. 

1790 

20 

17S,8 

287         1 

9628 
2650 

1037 

1353 
1329 
2114 

9S0 
2510 
1728 

348 

59> 
190 

891 

206l 

356 

262 

344- 

317(» 


3o.5-*3 

ire  noji^oinf;  to  hai^d ;  O;  cov.ric  th 

4l  U.<U  ^x^m^H^/i. 


4-> 

69 

69 

86 

86 

89 

90 

138 

139 

140 

141 

168 

169 

>73 

174 

195 

194 

207 

208 

£lS 

219 

231 

232 

259 

26a 

267 

268 

274 

275 

278 

278 

279 

280 

288 

298 

324 

3^5 

335 

336 

339 

340 

342 

343 

36  < 

:  this 

\iffociatIo! 

<^f>^ 

ODSi.il V'ATIO^S  ON  MAYO,  Scc. 


"In".  B.  According  to  the  note  at  the  foot  of  .%e 
p'cceding  page,  the  accounts  from  Mayo^Ailbciation 
have  not  come  to  hand.  Beit  tlfc  jCompiler  how- 
ever can  inforra.the  reader,  that  the  churches  com- 
pofing  this  afTociation  are  partly  in  North^X'arolina, 
and  partly  in  Virginia.  Thofe  in  Virginla^are  in 
the  counties  of  Henry,  Patrick,  and  Pittfylv;^nia,' 
and  are  in  number,  the  *.  ompiler  thinks,  about  feven  ; 
which,  if  added  to  the  others,  amount  to  two  .hun- 
dred and  ninety  four  churches  in  the  whole  itate. 
Admitting  the  average  number  in  the  churches,,  the 
fame  as  that  of  btrawberry,  the  mother  affociation, 
the  whole  number  of  members  v/ill  be  five  hundred 
and  four ;  which  added  to  thirty  thoufand^  five  hun- 
dred and  forty  eight,  make  the  total  amount  of  Bap- 
tifts  in  V'irginia  thhtij  one  thousand  and  fifty  two. 
Asplund's  Hegifter  for  1791,  foon  after  the  great  re- 
vival, makes  the  number  of  Baptists  twenty  thou- 
fand  four  hundred  and  thirt}^  nine,  in  Virginia.  The 
increafe  in  nineteen  years  is  more  than  fifty  per 
cent.  During  this  period,  it  has  been  fuppofed, 
that,  more  than  one  fourth  of  the  Baptifts  of  Virgi- 
nia have  moved  to  Kentucky  and  other  parts  of  the 
weflern  country. 


END. 


;>  -xj^^    V  ..  >^-    >  if,!;. 


r^ 


